DP Kindiki pledges coffee sector debt relief, reforms to boost farmer earnings

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government's commitment to revitalising the coffee sector through comprehensive debt relief and structural reforms aimed at boosting farmer earnings.

Speaking at Kavutiri Coffee Mills in Runyenjes, Embu County, the Deputy President announced that all verified debts owed by public coffee factories and mills will be written off, ensuring deductions from their payments no longer burden farmers.

Kindiki underscored the government’s target to guarantee a minimum payment of Sh100 per kilogram of coffee, noting that some cooperatives are already achieving returns of Sh130 to Sh150 per kilogram. He emphasised that this is part of a broader effort to restore coffee’s role as a key economic driver, particularly in regions like Mt. Kenya.

To enhance productivity, the Deputy President said subsidised fertiliser will be delivered on time, with the price already reduced from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500. He also revealed that a budget is being developed to further lower pesticide costs.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to professionalising coffee cooperatives by ensuring transparent, accountable, and efficient leadership. Misuse of farmers’ funds through unauthorised loans, he said, violates the Public Finance Management Act and will be addressed through the forthcoming Coffee Act of 2025.

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Kindiki hailed coffee as once being a “golden crop” and expressed confidence that ongoing reforms, including the expansion of the Coffee Cherry Fund from Sh2 billion to Sh7 billion, will revive the sector and contribute to national economic growth.

He also announced plans to upgrade infrastructure crucial to agriculture, including fast-tracking the Mau Mau Road, the Makutano–Meru dual carriageway, and other rural roads to facilitate trade and ease of transport.

“The reform of the coffee sector is a top government priority. We are determined to clear only verified debts and end financial mismanagement. Clean leadership, fair pricing, and reliable markets will restore the dignity of coffee farming in Kenya,” said Kindiki.

He cautioned against politicising development projects and urged leaders to remain united and focused on delivering results. He assured that the Office of the Deputy President is actively tracking and implementing campaign promises ahead of the 2027 elections.

Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, who had accompanied Kindiki, assured farmers of improved service delivery across government offices. He lauded the positive impact of Kenya Kwanza’s initiatives on coffee prices and pledged a proactive approach to disaster management to protect lives and livelihoods.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire thanked the national government for ongoing reforms but called for additional support in building modern coffee storage and processing facilities. She said the county had allocated Sh25 million for a coffee store but appealed for national support to construct a warehouse and install a colour sorter to enhance value addition.

Governor Mbarire also urged the government to expedite the construction of the Mau Mau roads and the upgrading of the Makutano–Meru highway into a dual carriageway to enhance trade and regional connectivity.

Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba highlighted the financial strain faced by many coffee cooperative societies due to debts that were initially meant to benefit farmers. He urged the creation of a specialised financial product to support coffee farmers independently, preventing them from competing with maize farmers for resources.