Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has appealed to the national government to fast-track the waiver of Sh1.06 billion in debts owed by 14 coffee cooperatives in the county.
Waiguru said clearing the long-standing debts would improve returns to farmers.
She was speaking on Tuesday when she hosted Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya during a coffee farmers’ sensitisation forum at General Kassam grounds.
“Debts owed by our cooperatives to financial institutions weigh heavily on our farmers, and we appeal for the fast-tracking of debt waivers which would be a major boost to coffee farmers in Kirinyaga,” the governor said.
The affected cooperatives include Karithathi, Rung’eto, Thirikwa, Ngiriambu, Rwama, Kanjuu, Mirichi, Inoi, Kibirigwi, Mwirua, Mutira, New Ngariama, Baragwi and Kirinyaga cooperative union.
Waiguru said resolving the debt burden would complement the gains already being realised through reforms and investments across the coffee value chain.
In his response, the CS said his ministry had verified Sh6.8 billion in coffee co-operatives’ debts across the 34 coffee growing counties, and has so far been allocated Sh2 billion to settle part of the amount.
He said he had taken note of Kirinyaga’s request for consideration, while at the same time urging coffee farmers to remain vigilant and ensure the debts were genuinely incurred.
“Coffee is a valuable cash crop and a major foreign exchange earner. As the government, we’re empowering farmers to push production to at least 150,000 metric tonnes nationally.”
In Kirinyaga, Waiguru said the coffee sector is steadily regaining strength, with production rising from 28,000 tonnes in 2017 to 48,000 tonnes, while annual farmer earnings have increased to about Sh7.4 billion.
“Kirinyaga coffee is our pride and a legacy crop that continues to transform livelihoods. Our goal is to ensure that farmers derive maximum value from their produce by strengthening every stage of the value chain.”
Kirinyaga continues to distinguish itself as one of the world’s top producers of premium Arabica coffee, with its beans renowned for superior quality and high market value.
Baragwi farmers co-operative society workers processing coffee beans /ALICE WAITHERAWaiguru cited the performance of Kii coffee factory under Rung’eto farmers’ cooperative society, whose AA-grade coffee sold at Sh1,715 per kilo in 2023, the highest price recorded in Kenya in five years.
Among the interventions the county administration has employed are provision of high-quality coffee seedlings propagated at Kamweti nurseries where farmers access improved planting material to replace old bushes and extension services.
“This planting season, the county produced 120,000 Ruiru 11 grafted seedlings that were sold to farmers at Sh55 each, compared to Sh100 in private nurseries,” the governor said.
To improve processing and reduce losses, the county has allocated Sh36 million this financial yearfor the modernisation of wet mills in seven coffee factories through the installation of solar-powered eco-pulping machines.
A shift from traditional pulping methods to eco-pulping technology, she added, will improve efficiency, lower processing costs and enhance bean quality, while support through solar dryerswill ensure more consistent drying and preserve coffee integrity.
Waiguru also highlighted ongoing investments in post-harvest infrastructure, saying the county is constructing a modern Sh27 million coffee warehouse at the Kirinyaga coffee farmers’ cooperative union in Kimicha, which is now 90 per cent complete.
Once completed, the warehouse will have the capacity to store 40,000 bags of parchment coffee, helping address storage challenges, improve quality control and strengthen farmers’ bargaining power in the market.
The county has supported Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company that has enabled local farmers to take greater control of the sale of their coffee.
“Since receiving its brokerage licence, the company has facilitated the sale of 298,247 bags of parchment coffee worth Sh10.5 billion, positioning Kirinyaga strongly at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange,” the county boss said.
The county is now investing in value addition to unlock more income opportunities for farmers and has supported Mutira and Mwirua cooperative societies with coffee roasting machines, enabling them to process and market branded coffee under Tira Coffee and Mwirua Coffee.
The products are already being sold locally, helping expand domestic consumption while opening up new enterprise opportunities around coffee.
Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari told the CS that local residents would continue supporting the government as long as coffee payouts keep increasing.
