The government has reaffirmed its commitment to reviving Kenya’s coffee sector through a bold expansion strategy, significant financial investment, and targeted reforms. Speaking at a sensitization forum held at Kinamba trading centre in Laikipia County, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya announced plans to inject billions into the coffee subsector as part of a three-year revitalization programme.
Accompanied by Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu and New Kenya Cooperative Union Managing Director Timothy Mirugi, Oparanya emphasized that the government is not only focused on boosting production in traditional coffee-growing regions but also expanding the crop into new counties with suitable growing conditions.
“With the right technologies and government support, farmers in these emerging areas have the potential to greatly boost productivity,” Oparanya said.
In response to years of decline—during which Kenya was overtaken by Ethiopia, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania in coffee output—the government has allocated over Sh500 million to supply smallholder farmers with high-quality coffee seedlings. The initiative aims to increase national production and restore Kenya’s status as a leading global coffee producer.
Oparanya also highlighted the availability of the Sh8 billion Cherry Fund, urging farmers to tap into the facility to expand operations and improve yields. He assured farmers that market demand for Kenyan coffee remains strong both locally and internationally, but warned that without proper intervention, the country risks falling short of market needs.
To further support farmers, the government pledged to address longstanding sector debts—committing to settle only verified, genuine claims.
This ambitious revival effort signals a renewed chapter for Kenya’s coffee industry, blending tradition with innovation to secure a more sustainable and profitable future for coffee farmers across the country.
