In a significant move to rejuvenate Kenya’s coffee industry, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced comprehensive reforms aimed at increasing farmers’ earnings and eliminating long-standing crisis in the sector.
Addressing over 12,000 coffee farmers yesterday at Kianjanga Public Grounds in Ndia Constituency, Kindiki emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring the profitability of coffee farming.
“We are determined to ensure that coffee farmers earn more and that coffee brings in more foreign exchange as it used to,” Kindiki stated.
He highlighted that the government’s interventions have already led to farmers earning between Sh110 and Sh150 per kilogram of cherry, nearly double the amount received in 2022 .
key Reforms Introduced
The Deputy President outlined several initiatives under the forthcoming Coffee Act, 2025, and Cooperatives Act, 2025, which are expected to be enacted soon.
He noted the new laws will simplify the licensing process, requiring only one license per individual, whether as a miller, broker, or marketer, thereby reducing bureaucratic hurdles and eliminating role duplication.
"The government has also reduced the price of fertilizer from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500 and plans to lower pesticide costs, ensuring timely availability of these inputs. Efforts are underway to provide certified, subsidized coffee seedlings through enhanced support to the Coffee Research Institute, aiming to increase productivity per bush from 2kg to 10kg by 2027," said Kindiki .Addressing farmers he added the government will waive verified debts owed by public coffee mills and cooperative societies, alleviating financial burdens on farmers.
Kindiki further said the government is focused on eradicating cartels and middlemen who have have been exploiting farmers.
“We have dealt with cartels and issued one license per every actor in the value chain to avoid duplication of roles,” Kindiki affirmed.
Infrastructure and Market Expansion
To support these reforms, he noted the government is planing to modernize coffee processing infrastructure and improve transportation networks, including fast-tracking the Mau Mau Road and the Makutano–Meru dual carriageway.
The DP was accompanied by MPs George Kariuki (Ndia), Joseph Gitari (Kirinyaga Central),. Wangui Ngirichi, Chairperson of Kenya Seed Company, among others.
