BY RITA MUTHONI
The government says two coffee reform bills before the National Assembly will restore accountability, strengthen cooperative governance and improve returns for coffee farmers by addressing decades of mismanagement that have weakened Kenya’s coffee sector.
Speaking in Embu County during the commissioning of Coffee Revitalization Committees for Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Kirinyaga counties, Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the proposed laws are intended to seal governance loopholes that have enabled rogue officials to exploit farmers while denying them fair earnings.
Oparanya said the proposed Cooperatives Bill introduces stronger accountability measures and transparent leadership structures to rebuild confidence in cooperative societies and stimulate increased coffee production.
He added that the legislation clearly defines the responsibilities of the national and county governments in managing cooperatives, creating a coordinated system that better protects farmers’ interests and strengthens the sector.
The Cabinet Secretary also said the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill will improve financial management within cooperatives by enhancing oversight and expanding access to financing.
To boost farmers’ incomes, Oparanya said the government is reviewing the Minimum Guaranteed Return under the Cherry Advance Revolving Fund.
Farmers currently receive an advance payment of Sh40 per kilogramme of cherry, but the government is considering increasing the amount to Sh60 to improve cash flow before coffee is marketed.
Coffee Revitalization Committee Chairman Njeru Ndwiga said the coffee industry declined after liberalization weakened cooperative leadership and oversight, creating opportunities for corruption and poor governance.
He noted that the collapse of coffee unions and prolonged leadership in some cooperative societies allowed a few individuals to prioritize personal interests over those of farmers, undermining the sector’s growth.
Ndwiga called for comprehensive reforms to restore transparency, accountability and effective leadership, saying strong cooperative institutions are critical to reviving Kenya’s coffee industry.
Meanwhile, Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma warned against increasing incidents of coffee theft at factories, saying security agencies have intensified operations to curb the crime.
Ouma said the government will take firm action against those involved in stealing farmers’ produce, emphasizing that protecting the coffee value chain remains a key priority in efforts to revive the sector.
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