Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru has called on the national government to fast-track the waiver of Ksh1.06 billion in debts owed by 14 local coffee cooperatives.
Waiguru said the debt burden is hindering the full revival of the coffee sector and continues to weigh heavily on farmers.
Waiguru emphasized that resolving this issue would complement ongoing county investments in the coffee value chain, which have helped boost coffee production from 28,000 to 48,000 metric tonnes since 2017, with annual farmer earnings now around Ksh7.4 billion.
“Debts owed by our cooperatives to financial institutions weigh heavily on our farmers, and we appeal for the fast-tracking of debt waivers, which would be a major boost to coffee farmers in Kirinyaga,” she said.
The affected cooperatives include Karithathi, Rung’eto, Thirikwa, Ngiriambu, Rwama, Kanjuu, Mirichi, Inoi, Kibirigwi, Mwirua, Mutira, New Ngariama, Baragwi and Kirinyaga Cooperative Union.
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She noted that Kirinyaga remains a top producer of premium Arabica coffee, with beans commanding high market prices. One example is Kii Coffee Factory under Rung’eto Farmers’ Cooperative, where AA-grade coffee sold for Ksh1,715 per kilo in 2023, the highest in Kenya in five years.
Waiguru also highlighted county support for affordable, high-quality seedlings from Kamweti Nurseries to help farmers rejuvenate old coffee bushes and increase yields.
Coffee Revitalization National Steering Committee chair Peter Njeru Ndwiga assured farmers that efforts are underway to strengthen Kenya’s coffee brand, particularly against competitors like Ethiopia.
Baragwi Cooperative Society Chairman Muchiri Murage thanked the government for providing farm inputs but reiterated the need for debt relief to boost production.
Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, noted that the ministry has received Sh6.8 billion in debt waiver requests from cooperatives nationwide, with Sh2 billion allocated for settlement. He urged farmers to verify the origin of their debts before requesting waivers.
By Obegi Malack
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