Overview & History

Unilever Kenya Limited is part of the global Unilever group, a major producer of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in food, home care, personal care, and wellbeing. The company has been present in Kenya and East Africa for many decades.

One of its most prominent subsidiaries was Unilever Tea Kenya Ltd (UTKL), formerly Brooke Bond, which managed tea cultivation, processing, and exports. At its peak, it owned multiple estates and factories and was one of the largest private employers in the country.

Products and Operations

Unilever Kenya operates in three main categories:

Food

Home care

Personal care

The company has local manufacturing facilities, with most of its products for the Kenyan and East African market being produced domestically. It also has a long history in the tea sector, though this part of the business has seen ownership changes in recent years.

Recent Strategies

Local Sourcing: Unilever Kenya has committed to sourcing most of its raw materials locally, aiming for about 70% by 2025. This is part of an effort to strengthen local supply chains, reduce reliance on imports, and support Kenyan suppliers.

Innovation and Sustainability: The company invests in sustainable business models, circular economy initiatives, and renewable energy projects. It has also shown interest in developing new product ideas and partnerships that benefit both consumers and the environment.

Ownership Changes in Tea

Globally, Unilever spun off its tea business into Lipton Teas & Infusions (formerly Ekaterra) after a sale to private equity. In Kenya, some of the tea estates and factories that were under Unilever have shifted to new ownership, marking a major transition in its operations.

Economic and Social Impact

Employment: Historically, Unilever’s tea operations employed tens of thousands of people in Kenya.

Exports: Tea exports from these estates contributed significantly to Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings.

Community Programs: The company has engaged in education, livelihood support, and other community initiatives as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Challenges

Supply Chain Pressures: The focus on local sourcing was partly driven by global supply chain disruptions, which made imports more costly and less reliable.

Labour Relations: There have been historical tensions and strikes among plantation workers over wages and working conditions.

Ownership Transition: The sale of the tea business has created changes in management, investment, and labour dynamics.