Communities invited to guide investment by one billion Kenyan shillings welfare trust
Human Impact Pathway experts appointed for assessment after completion of previously announced tea estates transaction
Amsterdam, 3 June 2025 – Experts from the London School of Economics’ Human Impact Pathway have been appointed to gather the views of people living near Kenyan tea estates in Kericho and Bomet through a rigorous community needs assessment that will guide the work of a new community welfare trust.
The new charitable trust is funded by an endowment of one billion Kenyan shillings from LIPTON Teas and Infusions and Browns Investments with the purpose of helping to address critical social needs for the more than one million people living in the areas surrounding Kenyan tea estates. This is made possible by the successful completion of the agreed transfer of the LIPTON Teas and Infusions tea estates to Browns Investments at the end of December 2024, in a move that supports both companies in focusing on their core strengths while ensuring continued development of the estates.
Experts from the Human Impact Pathway are now starting to gather insights from neighbouring communities through interviews, group discussions, surveys and workshops. The resulting report will take three months and will guide the work of the community welfare trust in ensuring that the funding delivers long-term positive impact where it is most needed.
The Human Impact Pathway is a not-for-profit social venture part of the renowned London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The venture is also supported by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security. These two organisations have worked together since 2018 to develop a human security approach to community development that provides a people-centred and bottom-up analysis of what makes for a safe and tolerable life with enhanced well-being. The collaboration has supported business-community partnerships that have already proven valuable in addressing local needs in countries around the world.
Pierre Laubies, Chief Executive Officer of LIPTON Teas and Infusions, said: “The long-term success of tea growing areas will be built on estates and their neighbouring communities all thriving. Our agreement with Browns Investments means a sizable investment will be made into local social needs so it is vital that the voices of those who should benefit are heard. This community needs assessment is an important step in informing the work of the trust.”
Kamantha Amarasekera, Chief Executive Director of Browns Investments, added: “We are committed to the sustainable development of both the tea estates and the surrounding communities. This partnership with LIPTON Teas and Infusions and the establishment of the community welfare trust demonstrates our long-term vision for the region.”
A Board of Trustees for the community welfare trust, consisting of one member from LIPTON Teas and Infusions, two from Browns, four representing various community interests, and one fully independent, is being appointed. Updates on the trust's activities and the results of the Human Impact Pathway assessment will be made available online and through local community centres.
Meetings with community representatives to share updates on all transaction-related initiatives and to seek their input have taken place since the transfer of ownership of the estates and remain ongoing. For the offer of 15% of the main Kenyan operating company to local people, the legal documentation is currently under final review to ensure full compliance with relevant Kenyan regulations.
Separately but concurrently, LIPTON Teas and Infusions has established the Africa Tea Industry Progress (ATIP) Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation under Dutch law to reinvest the net proceeds of the transaction for the benefit of East Africa’s tea industry and those people working within it. This public benefit foundation will make funding decisions over upcoming years based on needs in three core areas: skills development and training; climate change mitigation; and programmes that promote, and therefore reward, improvements in quality and sustainability of tea.