The government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate Kenya’s coffee industry, aiming to triple production from the current 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes by the 2027/2028 financial year.
The Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSME Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, emphasized the government’s determination to restore Kenya’s global stature as a leading coffee producer.
"Kenya was once among the world’s top coffee exporters, but we have fallen behind Ethiopia, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania," said Oparanya. He spoke at Kipkeikei.
He added: "Revitalizing this sector means strategic planning and improved farm practices, including targeting over 20 kilograms per bush."
To spearhead this revival, the government has committed Sh500 million and launched the Cherry Fund, which will offer farmers advance payments while awaiting auction sales.
Oparanya also kickstarted the distribution of 250,000 coffee seedlings to farmers in the region, as part of a national seedling production drive.
"We plan to produce 5 million seedlings by 2025, increase to 20 million in 2026, and reach a cumulative 65 million by 2027/2028," he said.
Oparanya added that 33 counties currently grow coffee, and the government aims to establish a milling plant in each to strengthen processing capacity.
He also disclosed that the government has put in place several measures to support the cooperative movement.
"Sh6.8 billion has been allocated to clear cooperative debts. New vetting rules for cooperatives seeking loans have also been introduced to curb bad debts," said Oparanya.
The Chairman of the Trans Nzoia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, Alfred Muse, noted that 33 cooperatives are affiliated with the union.
“Our land is productive. What we need is structured support to realize the full potential of coffee farming,” Muse said.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Phanice Khatundi, highlighted the county’s shift from maize to coffee farming.
Currently, 6,000 acres are under coffee, with 45,000 farmers across 35 cooperatives producing 250,000 kilograms of coffee valued at Sh350 million last year.
“The main varieties are Ruiru 11 and Batian. With proper crop management and access to subsidized fertilizer, we can significantly raise yields,” Khatundi said.
Senator Allan Chesang urged all stakeholders to unite in supporting coffee farming, noting its potential to transform the regional economy.
Former Senator Ziporah Kittony and former Cherang’any MP Wesley Korir echoed the call for sustained investment to make coffee the region’s primary economic driver.
The Managing Director of New Kenya Planters Cooperative union KPCU, Timothy Mirugi, reaffirmed the organization’s support for farmers.
He said the distribution of farm inputs is being coordinated through cooperatives and confirmed the availability of subsidized coffee fertilizer at NCPB outlets.
County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi said the county has a high demand for coffee seedlings.