Coffee Revival Launch in Kianyaga: A New Dawn for Kenya’s Coffee Farmers

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Coffee Revival Launch in Kianyaga: A New Dawn for Kenya’s Coffee Farmers
Kianyaga Stadium in Kirinyaga County came alive on June 22, 2026, as thousands of coffee farmers, cooperative leaders, government officials, and stakeholders gathered for the National Launch of the Coffee Revival Through Cooperative Societies Programme. The event, presided over by President William Ruto , marked a significant milestone in the government's efforts to restore the glory of Kenya's coffee sector. 

Reviving a Once-Thriving Industry

For decades, coffee farming has been one of Kenya's most important economic activities, earning the country foreign exchange and supporting thousands of households. However, the sector has suffered from declining production, poor prices, delayed payments, high production costs, and exploitation by middlemen. National coffee production has fallen from over 130,000 tonnes annually in the 1980s to approximately 50,000 tonnes in recent years. 

The Coffee Revival Programme seeks to reverse this trend through reforms aimed at increasing farmers' earnings, boosting production, strengthening cooperative societies, and expanding market opportunities. 

Key Promises Made by President Ruto

1. Higher Earnings for Coffee Farmers

The President announced an ambitious plan to raise coffee farmers' earnings from the current average of about KSh158 per kilogram to between KSh250 and KSh300 per kilogram in the coming years.

According to the President, the government has already improved returns from the KSh50–60 per kilogram that many farmers earned before the current reforms began. 

2. Payment Within Five Days

One of the most celebrated announcements was a directive that coffee farmers must be paid within five days after delivering their produce. This is expected to end the long-standing challenge of delayed payments that sometimes stretched for months. 

3. Clearance of Historical Coffee Debts

President Ruto pledged that the government will allocate KSh2 billion in the next financial year to begin clearing debts owed to coffee farmers and cooperative societies. This move is expected to relieve financial pressure on cooperatives and improve services to farmers. 

4. Modernization of Coffee Factories

The government promised to modernize coffee processing facilities by replacing outdated equipment and supporting factory upgrades. Leaders at the event noted that modernization efforts have already started in some factories across Kirinyaga County. 

5. Improved Coffee Seedlings and Technology

To increase productivity, the government plans to distribute improved coffee seedlings and introduce modern farming technologies. The goal is to raise yields from about two kilograms per tree to as much as five kilograms per tree. 

6. Value Addition and Global Branding

President Ruto emphasized that Kenya should stop exporting raw coffee and instead invest in roasting, packaging, branding, and marketing coffee locally. He expressed a vision of creating a strong Kenyan coffee brand capable of competing globally and generating more income for farmers. 

7. Lower Cost of Production

The government also reaffirmed its commitment to subsidized fertilizer and agricultural inputs to reduce production costs. The President noted that fertilizer prices have significantly reduced compared to previous years, making coffee farming more affordable. 

8. Tripling National Coffee Production

The administration aims to increase Kenya's annual coffee production from about 50,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes by 2028, positioning coffee as one of the country's leading agricultural exports once again. 

A Message of Hope

The launch at Kianyaga Stadium was more than just a government event—it was a message of hope to thousands of farmers who have struggled with low returns and uncertainty for years. With promises of better prices, faster payments, modernized factories, debt relief, and value addition, the Coffee Revival Programme seeks to place farmers at the center of the coffee value chain. 

As the programme rolls out across the country, stakeholders will be keenly watching to see whether these commitments translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Kenya's coffee-growing communities.

If successfully implemented, the Coffee Revival Programme could restore coffee's place as one of Kenya's most profitable and respected agricultural sectors, creating wealth for farmers and strengthening the country's economy for generations to come. 

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