Coffee growers in Kirinyaga County are celebrating a major breakthrough after receiving some of the highest cherry payment rates recorded in recent years for the 2024/2025 season. The announcement has sparked optimism across the county’s coffee zones, with farmers describing the payout as a turning point following years of suppressed earnings. Local producers say the improved rates reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to revive the sector, strengthen cooperative societies, and protect farmers from exploitation.
The revitalisation of Kirinyaga’s coffee industry traces back to a series of reforms targeting value-chain controls, factory management, and direct market access. Farmers have credited the reforms—among them enhanced marketing channels, support for cooperative leadership, and removal of middlemen—with restoring confidence in the crop. Many growers who had previously abandoned coffee farming due to unpredictable earnings are now considering expanding acreage, rehabilitating old trees, and investing in better farm inputs. Cooperative officials say the strengthened structures have allowed factories to negotiate better prices for high-quality cherries and improve transparency in payments.
The positive momentum has ignited excitement among residents, with community members praising both county and national governments for prioritising the crop’s revival. Many believe the record payouts signal the beginning of long-term stability in a sector historically viewed as the backbone of Central Kenya’s rural economy. However, farmers also noted the need for continued support in areas like agro-input subsidies, extension services, and access to modern processing equipment to ensure competitiveness in the global market. With renewed enthusiasm on the ground, stakeholders are hopeful that Kirinyaga’s coffee industry could return to its former glory, boosting household incomes and securing livelihoods for thousands of families across the county.