President Ruto launches the Coffee Revival through Cooperative Societies Programme in Kirinyaga, targeting 150,000 metric tonnes of production, 80% farmer payouts, and 5-day payment settlements.
In a major boost for Kenya’s agricultural sector, President William Ruto has officially launched the Coffee Revival through Cooperative Societies Programme in Kianyaga, Kirinyaga County. The ambitious plan aims to revolutionize coffee production, dramatically increase farmer earnings, and solidify Kenya’s standing in the global coffee market. “The measure of success is simple: more money in the hands of the farmer,” declared President Ruto, setting a clear benchmark for the initiative.
Ambitious Coffee Production Targets
The government has set its sights on a tripling of Kenya’s annual coffee production, targeting an increase from the current 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2028/2029. This will be achieved through:
Improved Seedlings: Distribution of high-yielding, disease-resistant coffee varieties.
Better Farming Methods: Adoption of modern agronomic practices.
Expanded Acreage: Adding 100,000 new acres to the current 250,000 acres under cultivation.
Increased Input Access: Ensuring farmers have affordable fertilizers and pesticides.
Productivity Per Tree: The plan aims to increase average yield from the current 2 kilograms per coffee tree to 5 kilograms per tree.
Coffee Geographic Expansion
While traditional coffee-growing counties such as Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, Embu, and Meru will receive support to rehabilitate aging trees and modernize factories, the government is also looking to expand into new frontiers. Western Kenya, the Rift Valley, and Nyanza are being developed as new coffee-growing regions, with the crop now being cultivated in 35 counties nationwide.
More Money for Coffee Farmers
A key pillar of the revival is ensuring farmers get a fair share of the proceeds. The President announced that at least 80 percent of coffee sale proceeds will go directly to farmers, with service providers sharing the remaining 20 percent. Through the Direct Settlement System, farmers are expected to receive payments within five days after sales—a significant improvement from the lengthy delays that have historically plagued the sector.
Boosting Local Consumption
The government is also targeting a dramatic shift in domestic consumption. Currently, only 2 percent of Kenyan coffee is consumed locally. The President aims to increase this to 20 percent within the next five years. He urged government institutions, businesses, hotels, and universities to prioritize serving Kenyan coffee under the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” initiative, creating a sustainable local market for the prized crop.
Recognition of Progress
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki highlighted the remarkable turnaround already underway, noting that coffee payouts had risen dramatically. Farmers were previously earning an average of about Ksh. 50 per kilogram, but current returns are now approaching Ksh. 160 per kilogram in some factories. He credited the administration’s reforms for this positive shift.
Kirinyaga: The Backbone of Coffee
Kirinyaga County Governor Ann Waiguru underscored the vital importance of the crop to her county. Coffee supports more than 120,000 farmers and thousands of households across the value chain. The county is home to 14 coffee cooperative societies and 74 coffee factories. Governor Waiguru highlighted the success of the Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company, which marketed approximately 18,255 metric tonnes of clean coffee between 2023 and 2026, earning farmers an impressive Ksh. 14.6 billion.
A New Chapter for Kenyan Coffee
With the launch of this programme, the government is signaling a definitive shift from the decades of neglect that left coffee farmers impoverished. By focusing on cooperative strength, fair pricing, rapid payments, and expanded production, Kenya is positioning itself to reclaim its glory as a top-tier coffee producer on the global stage.
