KIRINYAGA, Kenya — President William Ruto is set to launch the Coffee Revival Programme in Kirinyaga County, a government initiative aimed at restoring the country’s coffee sector and improving earnings for farmers.
The programme seeks to increase coffee production in major growing regions through the distribution of more than 20 million coffee seedlings to farmers across the country.
The launch is expected to bring renewed focus to the sector, which has historically been a key contributor to Kenya’s agricultural economy and foreign exchange earnings.
As part of the initiative, President Ruto will also commission more than 900 coffee champions who are expected to support farmers through training, mobilisation, and adoption of improved coffee farming practices.
The government says the programme is designed to address challenges affecting coffee farmers, including declining production, ageing coffee trees, and limited access to improved planting materials.
Kirinyaga, one of Kenya’s leading coffee-growing counties, has been selected as the launch venue due to its significant contribution to the country’s coffee output.
The revival plan comes as the government seeks to strengthen agriculture under its broader transformation agenda by increasing productivity, supporting value addition, and improving returns to farmers.
Coffee remains one of Kenya’s major agricultural exports, with premium Arabica varieties from the country attracting demand in international markets.
The programme is expected to focus on increasing farm-level production while supporting farmers with better seedlings and extension services to improve quality and yields.
Through the Coffee Revival Programme, the government aims to position coffee farming as a more sustainable and profitable livelihood for millions of smallholder farmers across Kenya.
