The Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings Ltd has appointed Francis Miano as acting group chief executive officer following the exit of former CEO Wilson Muthaura, who has proceeded on terminal leave.
Steady leadership during transition
Miano assumes the role effective 16 January 2026, KTDA Holdings Chairman Chege Kirundi announced in a statement issued on Friday.
“Eng Miano brings extensive experience and deep institutional knowledge to the role,” Kirundi said. “The Board is confident in his ability to provide steady leadership as the organisation transitions.”
A registered professional engineer and corporate member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, Miano has served several years within KTDA and currently heads the Group Technical Services Division. With more than 30 years of professional and managerial experience, his technical background and long-standing involvement position him well to guide the agency as it continues implementing operational and strategic reforms across the tea value chain.
Reforms and farmer focus continue
The transition marks the latest leadership change at KTDA Holdings, which oversees the management of more than 600,000 smallholder tea farmers through its network of factories and subsidiaries.
In recent years the agency has pursued reforms aimed at improving earnings, enhancing governance, strengthening efficiency in production and marketing, and promoting sustainability amid global market challenges and climate pressures.
Kirundi expressed the Board’s gratitude to Muthaura. “The Board expresses its sincere appreciation to Muthaura for his dedicated service to the organisation and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” he added.
KTDA Holdings assured farmers and stakeholders that the leadership change will not affect ongoing operations. Green leaf collection, processing, timely payments and service delivery will continue uninterrupted.
The appointment of an internal candidate with proven technical credentials signals a focus on continuity and stability during this transitional phase.
