Nairobi: The National Government has intensified efforts to revive Kenya’s coffee sector by launching the Coffee Revitalization Programme in the North Rift region, targeting increased production and expansion into new coffee-growing frontiers.
According to Kenya News Agency, the regional launch for West Pokot, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties was held at the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) in Eldoret. Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, announced the initiative as part of a nationwide rollout following the national launch by President William Ruto two weeks ago.
Oparanya outlined the government’s goal to boost Kenya’s annual coffee production from the current 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2029/2030. He emphasized that this target is crucial to restoring Kenya’s rank among the world’s leading coffee producers. He also noted that Kenya, once Africa’s second-largest coffee producer, has slipped to fifth place due to poor management and lack of support, causing many farmers to abandon coffee farming.
The government is tackling these challenges through comprehensive reforms, including amendments to the Cooperative Act currently under mediation in Parliament. Oparanya expressed optimism that the revised law would be enacted by September, strengthening governance for cooperatives nationwide.
To support the revival programme, the government increased its allocation to the coffee sector from Sh500 million last year to Sh1 billion this financial year. The Coffee Revitalization Programme involves a whole-of-government approach, with county commissioners, county governments, Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU), the Coffee Research Institute, and other stakeholders coordinating implementation at the county level.
County steering committees are tasked with profiling coffee farmers, mapping acreage, identifying suitable varieties, monitoring production, and submitting progress reports to the national government. ‘The information from the counties will enable us to know where seedlings, machinery, and other interventions are required so that support reaches farmers in good time,’ said Oparanya.
Key reforms already implemented include reducing payment periods from over a month to five days after coffee sales. Under the new law, farmers will receive 80% of their earnings directly through the Direct Settlement System (DSS), with 20% going to their cooperatives.
Oparanya announced that the government has released Sh4 billion to facilitate the waiver of historic coffee cooperative debts and is seeking an additional Sh2.8 billion through a supplementary budget to complete the process. The government also aims to prevent future indebtedness by strengthening access to affordable financing under the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund (CCARF).
To reduce production costs, the government, through KPCU, plans to establish strategic coffee milling plants, including in Eldoret, Kakamega, and the Mt Kenya region, instead of requiring cooperatives to purchase expensive milling equipment. Negotiations with manufacturers are also underway to enable farmers to acquire coffee pulping machines at subsidized prices.
Oparanya commended Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii for supporting coffee farming, noting the county’s strong commitment to expanding the crop. He urged political leaders to invest in coffee farming, highlighting its potential to create jobs, increase incomes, and stimulate economic growth.
Identifying North Rift, Western, and Nyanza as Kenya’s new coffee frontiers, Oparanya stated that the government will focus resources on these regions while encouraging traditional coffee-growing areas in Mt Kenya to improve productivity through better farming practices.
In a speech delivered by Dr. Philip Chebunet, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Chelilim affirmed his administration’s support for coffee farmers, revealing that over 1.6 million coffee seedlings have been distributed to farmers. ‘Up to 4,034 farmers will grow and benefit from this coffee in the next phase that we are entering this year. We have also registered cooperatives specifically for coffee in the six sub-counties,’ noted the Governor.
Additionally, the county constructed the Cheramei Coffee Milling Plant in Turbo Sub-County, designed to process up to 3,000 metric tonnes of coffee, allowing local farmers to bypass high milling and transport costs.
