President William Ruto has launched the Coffee Revival Through Cooperative Societies Programme, unveiling an ambitious strategy to increase farmers’ earnings, revitalise cooperative societies, expand coffee production, and position Kenya as a global powerhouse in coffee processing and branding.
The programme, launched in Kiranyaga, Kirinyaga County, on 22 June 2026, marks one of the most comprehensive interventions in the Kenyan coffee industry in recent years. It seeks to address longstanding structural challenges that have contributed to declining production, shrinking acreage, and reduced farmer participation in a sector that was once a major contributor to rural livelihoods and foreign exchange earnings.
Speaking during the launch, President Ruto said all reforms under the programme are designed to achieve one primary objective: putting more money in the hands of farmers.
“The farmer prepares the land, plants the crop, nurtures it through the seasons, and bears the greatest risk. The farmer does the hardest work and must therefore receive the greatest reward,” he said.
Coffee sector struggles despite global reputation.
Kenyan coffee is globally renowned for its quality, distinctive flavour profile, and premium prices in international markets. However, the sector has faced significant challenges over the past three decades.
Production has steadily declined from peaks recorded in the late 1980s, with many farmers abandoning coffee farming due to low returns, delayed payments, and rising production costs. In several traditional coffee-growing regions, coffee farms have increasingly been converted into real estate developments or alternative agricultural enterprises perceived to be more profitable.
Industry stakeholders have also cited weak governance within some cooperative societies, mismanagement of farmer funds, ageing coffee trees, outdated processing infrastructure and exploitation by middlemen as major factors undermining the sector.
Climate change has further compounded the challenges through unpredictable rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and increased incidences of crop diseases and pests, raising production risks for farmers.
In Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Embu, Kiambu, and Meru counties, traditionally regarded as the backbone of Kenya’s coffee production, many farmers have struggled to sustain productivity due to ageing coffee bushes and limited access to affordable farm inputs.
Against this backdrop, the government says the Coffee Revival Through Cooperative Societies Programme is intended to reverse the decline and restore confidence in the sector.
Targeting a threefold increase in production
A key pillar of the programme is increasing national coffee production from the current 50,000 metric tonnes annually to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2028.
To achieve this target, the government plans to expand land under coffee cultivation from 110,000 hectares to 150,000 hectares while simultaneously improving productivity at the farm level.
According to the President, the average coffee tree in Kenya currently produces about 2kg. Through improved seedlings, enhanced extension services, better farming practices, and increased access to agricultural inputs, the government aims to raise yields to at least 6kg per tree.
Millions of certified coffee seedlings will be distributed to farmers across the country as part of the initiative.
The government also plans to continue subsidising key farm inputs after reducing fertiliser prices from KSh7,500 to KSh2,500 per bag.
Ruto said rehabilitation programmes will target ageing coffee plantations in traditional coffee-growing counties while new coffee-growing zones will be established in parts of Western Kenya, Rift Valley, and Nyanza regions.
Cooperative societies at the centre of reforms
The revival strategy places cooperative societies at the centre of efforts to improve farmer welfare and strengthen market access.
For decades, cooperative societies played a critical role in aggregating produce, providing inputs, and facilitating payments to farmers. However, governance challenges and financial mismanagement in some societies eroded farmer confidence and weakened the institutions.
The President said the government is undertaking reforms aimed at rebuilding strong, transparent, and accountable cooperatives capable of delivering value to members.
He announced plans to modernise coffee factories through investment in eco-pulpers, improved drying systems, enhanced storage facilities, and advanced traceability technologies.
The reforms are also expected to improve quality management and strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness in premium global coffee markets.
“Through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange and farmer-owned brokerages, our cooperatives can now sell Kenyan coffee directly to the world,” the President said.
Faster payments and higher returns for farmers
One of the most significant reforms announced under the programme relates to farmer payments.
The government has maintained the requirement that at least 80% of coffee sales proceeds be paid directly to farmers, with service providers sharing the remaining 20%.
Ruto said the Direct Settlement System has already transformed payment processes by ensuring farmers receive their earnings within five days after a sale.
The system was introduced to address historical concerns over delayed payments that often left farmers waiting for weeks or months before receiving proceeds from coffee sales.
The President said ongoing digitisation efforts will further improve transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption and exploitation by brokers.
Additionally, the proposed Cooperatives Bill currently before Parliament is expected to strengthen governance frameworks and enhance accountability within cooperative societies.
Growing local coffee consumption
Beyond production reforms, the government is seeking to stimulate domestic coffee consumption as part of a broader strategy to create a more resilient market for farmers.
Despite producing some of the world’s most sought-after coffee, Kenya consumes only about 2% of its annual output, with the majority destined for export markets.
The government now aims to increase domestic consumption to 20% within the next five years.
Ruto called on public institutions, hotels, restaurants, universities, and businesses to prioritise serving locally produced coffee.
A stronger domestic market, he said, would help cushion farmers against fluctuations in international coffee prices while creating additional opportunities along the value chain.
The President also highlighted efforts to involve young people in the industry through entrepreneurship programmes and innovative ventures such as Coffee on Wheels mobile businesses.
More than 1,000 youth have already been trained as coffee ambassadors, with the Kenya Industrial Estates directed to support their enterprises.
Shift towards value addition and global branding.
The government is also seeking to capture a larger share of the global coffee value chain by promoting local processing, packaging, and branding.
While Kenya produces premium-quality coffee, much of the value associated with the final consumer product is generated abroad through roasting, branding, and retailing.
Ruto argued that continued export of raw coffee limits income opportunities for farmers and deprives the country of jobs and investment.
The government is, therefore, pursuing partnerships aimed at expanding local coffee processing capacity and developing internationally competitive Kenyan coffee brands.
Drawing comparisons with globally recognised brands such as Nespresso, Lavazza, and MacCoffee, the President expressed confidence that Kenya has the potential to establish a world-class coffee brand capable of competing in international markets.
He challenged investors to partner with Kenya in building globally recognised coffee products while retaining greater value within the country.
Renewed hope for farmers
The launch of the Coffee Revival Through Cooperative Societies Programme signals a renewed push by the government to restore one of Kenya’s most iconic agricultural sectors.
For thousands of farmers across coffee-growing regions, the success of the programme will ultimately be measured by whether it delivers higher earnings, timely payments, and sustainable livelihoods.
As the government rolls out the reforms, stakeholders across the value chain will be watching closely to see whether the latest intervention succeeds where previous revival efforts have struggled, and whether Kenya can once again reclaim its position as one of the world’s leading coffee producers while ensuring farmers receive a fair share of the industry’s wealth.
