Coffee farmers affiliated with Kahuhia Coffee Society in Kiharu Constituency, Murang’a County, have welcomed the reforms contained in the Coffee Bill 2023 recently passed by the Senate, expressing optimism that the sector is on a path to recovery once the President assents to the legislation.
Led by society chairman Godfrey Kanyiri, who also chairs Wanjengi Coffee Factory, the farmers said the proposed legal changes could help restore coffee farming to its former prominence as a leading cash crop in the Mt Kenya region and across the country.
Speaking at Wanjengi Coffee Factory, Kanyiri described the passage of the Coffee Bill 2023 as a milestone for the industry, noting that it seeks to reinstate key institutions, including the Coffee Board of Kenya and the Coffee Research Institute, whose absence he said had negatively affected the sector.
In recent years, regulatory functions have been managed by the Agriculture and Food Authority, while research activities fell under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. However, farmers argue that funding challenges and structural limitations under the current framework have hindered effective service delivery.
Kanyiri maintained that the scrapping of the institutions was politically driven despite their importance to farmers. He added that stronger research, regulation and marketing structures are essential for revitalizing the crop and enhancing farmer earnings.
The farmers also commended Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango for sponsoring the motion, saying the reforms would streamline operations at factory and cooperative levels while improving access to local and international markets.
Kanyiri further observed that Kenya’s participation at a recent coffee summit in Ethiopia was minimal compared to other African producers such as Uganda. He noted that Joshua Irungu of Laikipia County was the only governor in attendance, adding that the country needs to enhance its presence in global coffee forums.
According to him, international delegates at the summit praised the quality of Kenyan coffee, with some indicating they had been sourcing comparable produce from Brazil, underscoring the need for Kenya to aggressively pursue export opportunities.
Meanwhile, Esbon Mwangi of New Kiriti Cooperative Society in Mathioya Constituency urged county governments to supply farmers with certified seedlings to boost production. He pointed out that some counties in the Rift Valley have made progress in distributing seedlings and called for similar initiatives in the Mt Kenya region.
To attract more young people into coffee farming, local factories have introduced youth-focused initiatives, including sports programmes. Kahuro Deputy County Commissioner Esther Mwaura handed over sports equipment donated by Alliance Berries Limited to youth groups, saying engaging youth in agriculture and sports would help reduce crime and strengthen their economic prospects.
By Purity Mugo
