The government has renewed its commitment to reviving the coffee sector by ensuring timely access to essential farming inputs and eliminating exploitative cartels, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki announced on Monday.
Speaking during a public engagement forum attended by over 12,000 coffee farmers at Kianjang’a Public Grounds in Kirinyaga County, Prof. Kindiki outlined a series of reforms aimed at revitalizing the coffee value chain and improving farmers’ incomes.
Among the measures highlighted are the provision of subsidized fertilizers, pesticides, and certified coffee seedlings to farmers. The government is also channeling increased funding to the Coffee Research Institute to enhance productivity, support sustainable farming practices, and boost overall sector performance.“The Coffee Research Institute will play a pivotal role in supporting farmers through research and innovation to increase yield and quality,” said Prof. Kindiki.
To further streamline the sector, the Deputy President revealed that licensing protocols have been revised to enhance efficiency, reduce bureaucracy, and promote transparency in the coffee value chain.“These reforms are part of our broader strategy to restore coffee farming as a lucrative venture for our farmers,” he added.
Prof. Kindiki noted that during the just-concluded coffee season, farmers earned between KSh110 and KSh150 per kilo of cherry — a positive indicator of a sector on the rebound.
Once a cornerstone of Kenya’s agricultural exports, the coffee industry has faced years of decline due to poor management, low returns, and the grip of middlemen. The latest reforms signal a renewed government push to restore the sub-sector’s former glory and empower smallholder farmers.
