Government support and ongoing reforms in the coffee sector are beginning to bear fruit in Murang’a County, with coffee factories recording a sharp rise in production volumes and improved quality of produce.
Several factories across the county have reported significant growth following policy interventions aimed at revitalising the sector, restoring farmer confidence and reducing post-harvest losses.
Kiruru Coffee Factory in Mathioya Sub-County is among the beneficiaries of the reforms, having increased its coffee output from about 700,000 kilogrammes to more than 1.6 million kilogrammes per harvest season.
The remarkable growth has been attributed to improved government policies, better access to farm inputs and renewed confidence among coffee farmers, who are increasingly investing in production as returns improve.
Speaking on Friday during a farmers’ engagement forum at Kiruru Coffee Factory, Deputy State House Comptroller Simon Gikuru said the government is keen on transforming the coffee sector by supporting factories to modernise their infrastructure and improve efficiency.
Gikuru was at the factory to deliver President William Ruto’s support towards the installation of a solar coffee dryer, a move expected to significantly reduce drying time and post-harvest losses.
He noted that outdated and depleted infrastructure in many factories had in the past led to substantial losses and compromised coffee quality, adding that investment in modern drying and processing equipment is critical to increasing farmers’ earnings.
“The government is committed to supporting coffee, tea and dairy farming through reforms and targeted interventions. Improving infrastructure such as drying facilities will go a long way in cutting post-harvest losses and improving the quality of coffee that reaches the market,” said Gikuru.
He said the national government is working closely with leaders and cooperatives to ensure that farmers benefit from reforms designed to enhance productivity and increase earnings.
The Deputy State House Comptroller urged political leaders to put aside differences and work together in championing the welfare of farmers and residents, noting that unity is essential for development to be realised at the grassroots.
Mathioya Member of Parliament Edwin Mugo said the sub-county has remained a leading coffee-producing area in Murang’a County, attributing the success to the dedication of farmers and supportive policies from the national government.
Mugo said Kiruru Coffee Factory will become the sixth factory in the area to benefit from the installation of solar dryers, following similar support extended to five other factories in the sub-county.
“The President has continued to support our coffee farmers, and this solar dryer at Kiruru will help the factory cope with the increased production we are witnessing,” said Mugo.
The MP added that his office, together with other leaders, will continue supporting coffee factories to upgrade their infrastructure in order to handle the growing volumes of coffee being delivered by farmers.
He warned that failure to invest in modern facilities could result in losses and compromise quality, which would ultimately affect farmers’ incomes and the sustainability of the coffee sector.
Mugo further said he will continue advocating for increased government support to coffee and tea farmers, including ensuring that subsidised farm inputs reach them on time.
He also welcomed the policy that introduced the deployment of a specialised coffee police unit, saying it will help curb coffee theft, which has in the past caused huge losses to farmers and cooperative societies.
Kiruru Coffee Factory Chairman John Karunga lauded President Ruto’s support, saying the installation of a solar dryer will significantly reduce losses and improve the quality of coffee produced at the factory.
Karunga said the new dryer will reduce the coffee drying period from 21 days to just 10 days, enabling faster processing and better preservation of quality coffee beans.
He noted that the factory has a membership of about 1,300 registered farmers and that coffee production has nearly doubled in recent seasons following the implementation of government-led reforms.
Karunga called for the streamlining of the distribution and accessibility of farm inputs, noting that delays often affect productivity and increase production costs for farmers.
“We are asking that cooperative societies be allowed to access the e-voucher system so that they can directly purchase farm inputs for their farmers. This will make the process faster and more efficient,” he said.
Kagunu Coffee Factory Chairman, John Chege, raised concerns over the increase in coffee hawking, which he said has grown due to improved coffee prices.
Chege said the practice is particularly rampant in parts of Mathioya and warned that it exposes farmers to exploitation while undermining cooperative societies.
He called on the Murang’a County Assembly to enact legislation to curb coffee theft and illegal hawking, saying stronger laws would help protect farmers’ produce and incomes.
Meanwhile, Kagema Member of Parliament, Peter Kihungi, addressed concerns surrounding the Tea Bill Amendment currently before Parliament, clarifying that it is not intended to increase levies on farmers as alleged.
He explained that the amendment seeks to promote direct marketing of tea, allowing factories to sell directly to international buyers and earn better returns for farmers.
Leaders at the meeting expressed optimism that continued government support and policy reforms will further strengthen the agricultural sector and improve livelihoods for farmers across Murang’a County.
The leaders called upon farmers to continue supporting government development programmes aimed at revitalising agriculture and boosting rural economies.
By Bernard Munyao
