President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious government plan to raise coffee farmers’ earnings from the current Sh158 per kilogramme to between Sh250 and Sh300 over the coming years. He said the initiative forms part of a wider strategy aimed at reviving the country’s coffee sector.
Speaking in Kianyaga, Kirinyaga County, during the launch of a coffee revival programme, Ruto said his administration has already made meaningful progress in improving returns for farmers. However, he added that further action is required to ensure coffee farming becomes profitable for growers once again.
Ruto pointed out that, when his government took office, farmers were earning as little as Sh50 or Sh60 per kilogramme. He said those low returns discouraged many growers and helped drive a decline in production.
“When we came to office, one kilogramme of coffee would earn a farmer Sh50 or Sh60 or thereabout. But today, let us speak the truth, one kilo earns the farmer much more,” Ruto said.
“It has increased to Sh120, to Sh130, Sh150, and now Sh158. Is that not true? It has been announced here.”
The president said the government was not satisfied with the current returns and has put in place a comprehensive plan to significantly boost farmers’ incomes. He told the meeting that additional measures are on the way, saying the price will rise to Sh250 per kilogramme and even Sh300 in the near future, “God willing.” He also added, “We have a plan to achieve this.”
Ruto said the strategy will focus on distributing improved coffee seedlings, modernising coffee factories, and expanding new markets for Kenyan coffee. He said each step is intended to increase the share of value that farmers receive from the crop.
“Every seedling that will be planted, every factory that will be modernized, every change and every new market that we will open must add to the income of farmers,” he said.
Ruto argued that coffee farmers deserve better returns because they carry the greatest burden in the production chain. He said farmers till the land, plant seedlings, care for the trees, harvest the coffee, and shoulder the heaviest responsibilities, adding that they should benefit the most rather than brokers.
“The reason is because it is the farmer who tills the land, plants the seedlings, cares for the trees, and harvests and carries the heaviest weight. He should be the one who benefits the most and not brokers,” he said.
Ruto Promises Farmers Pay Within 5 Days
Ruto also outlined reforms the government has introduced to strengthen payment systems in the coffee sector. He said farmers previously waited for months to receive their money, while multiple deductions and weak transparency eroded their earnings. He added that the administration has now agreed that farmers will receive payments within five days.
“Farmers used to wait for months before being paid. We have agreed now that farmers should get their money within five days. That is a must; we are not begging anyone,” he said.
Ruto said delayed payments, heavy deductions, and a lack of transparency demoralized farmers and harmed the coffee subsector. He said the government will now open a new chapter for the industry.
“Before, payments were delayed, there were many deductions, and there was no transparency. This demoralised farmers and hurt the coffee subsector. Today we are opening a new chapter.”
The president said the government plans to triple national coffee output from 50,000 tonnes annually to 150,000 tonnes by 2028. He said officials will achieve the target by introducing improved coffee varieties, adopting modern technology, and expanding land under coffee cultivation.
“How will we achieve that? We have new seedlings, new technology, and new varieties. We want one tree to produce five kilos and not two as it is now,” he said.
Ruto added that coffee farming already operates across 34 counties, and he said the government intends to bring an additional 100,000 acres under production. He also pledged to reduce the cost of production by cutting fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide prices, which he said will improve farmers’ profitability and encourage more Kenyans to invest in coffee farming.
