President William Ruto has lifted more than Sh1 billion in debt owed by 14 coffee cooperatives in Kirinyaga, a relief that has energized local farmers.
The debt relief came after an appeal by Governor Anne Waiguru, who argued that long‑standing debts had hindered farmers and impeded the coffee sector’s full revival.
During the national launch of the Coffee Sector Revitalisation Programme at General Kassam Stadium in Gichugu, Ruto revealed that the 2026/27 budget now includes Sh2 billion earmarked to clear coffee cooperative debts nationwide.
He said the measure aims to lighten farmers’ financial pressure and reinforce sector reforms.
Kirinyaga was chosen as the venue because of its record in coffee production, product quality and farmer incomes.
“The government has set aside Sh2 billion for the next fiscal year to settle cooperative debts and sustain the coffee sector’s revival,” Ruto announced.
Waiguru welcomed the pledge, noting that coffee underpins Kirinyaga’s economy, supporting over 120,000 farmers and thousands of households throughout the value chain.
Addressing a crowd of farmers from 34 coffee‑growing districts, she urged the national government to honour its commitment to wipe out cooperative debts.
She highlighted that Kirinyaga hosts 14 cooperatives and 74 processing plants, both crucial to the county’s agricultural scene.
The governor added that annual production rose from 28,000 tonnes of cherry in 2017 to 49,100 tonnes in the 2025/26 season, generating Sh7.48 billion for farmers.
“Coffee output has climbed thanks to intentional investments in seedlings, extension support, subsidised fertiliser and state‑of‑the‑art processing,” Waiguru explained.
She reported that farmers received between Sh104 and Sh157.40 per kilogram of cherry this season, with average payouts increasing to Sh139 from Sh134 last year.
The improvement, she said, stemmed from measures such as eco‑pulpers, solar dryers, farmer training and a new warehouse at the County Cooperative Union in Kimicha.
She also mentioned the brokerage licence secured for Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage, which marketed about 18,255 tonnes of clean coffee from 2023 to 2026, earning farmers Sh14.6 billion.
Gachoki Gitari, MP for Kirinyaga Central, called for swift implementation of the debt‑waiver plan, claiming it would further speed the sector’s recovery.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki praised Kirinyaga’s progress, describing the county as a benchmark for coffee output and farmer earnings.
“Kirinyaga shows that with good leadership and reforms, coffee farming can become very profitable for farmers,” Kindiki noted.
He also credited government reforms for the rise in payouts, noting that farmers now earn about Sh160 per kilogram in some factories, up from roughly Sh50 in earlier years.
Ruto said the government’s long‑term target is to lift farmers’ incomes to between Sh250 and Sh300 per kilogram through higher productivity and more land.
He added that the programme aims to produce 150,000 tonnes of coffee by 2029, compared to current levels, via better varieties and practices.
“The plan is to raise yields from about two kilograms per tree to five kilograms while adding 100,000 acres of coffee area,” the President said.
Ruto also announced an extra Sh1 billion for counties to modernise coffee factories and another Sh1 billion for the supply of quality coffee seedlings.
He directed a full roll‑out of marketing reforms so that farmers receive at least 80 percent of sale proceeds directly through digital payments.
The President urged Kenyans and institutions to boost consumption of locally produced coffee to grow the domestic market.
Farmers present at the forum welcomed the pledges but voiced concerns about counterfeit and banned agrochemicals, calling for stricter enforcement to protect production and ensure only approved products reach the field.
“We need stronger action against fake agrochemicals because many farmers cannot easily tell genuine from counterfeit,” one farmer said.