National News - Sacco Review | The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya

Obonyo: Coffee Co-operative societies with production of below 500,000kg to merge with stronger ones

Sacco ReviewDecember 5, 202504 mins

Commissioner of Co-operatives David Obonyo Obonyo has called for merge of coffee co-operative societies with a production of below 500,000kg with stronger ones to save on farmers earnings. He said lower volumes of coffee raise the overhead costs for an individual co-operative, eating into farmers’ earnings. The challenge is especially rife in Western and Rift…

Govt to conduct public participation on DSS coffee payment system after court quash

Sacco ReviewDecember 5, 202503 mins

The government has assured farmers that proper public participation will be conducted across the country before implementation of the Direct Settlement System. This follows a ruling made by Kerugoya High Court on November 18. Justice Edward Muriithi issued the orders suspending implementation of the system until May 20, declaring that public participation was not conducted in…

All privatised sugar mills to return to government after lease term lapses

Sacco ReviewDecember 4, 202504 mins

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has asserted that all investments made by private millers in the four state-owned sugar factories will automatically revert to the government at the expiry of the 30-year lease term. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, CS Kagwe said that private leasing imposes strict performance obligations on the private millers, and they are expected to…

Gov’t to redouble tea farmers earnings in 2027

Sacco ReviewDecember 4, 202505 mins

The government has announced a reform programme in the tea sector aimed at stabilising prices, improving quality and doubling tea farmers’ earnings to Ksh.100 per kilogramme of green leaf by 2027. Speaking when he appeared before the National Assembly on Wednesday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe intimated that tea farmers receive payments through a two-tier payment model; a monthly initial payment and…

Kishushe Ranch Officials demand removal of eight unlicensed mining investors

Sacco ReviewDecember 3, 2025011 mins

The leadership of Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Ltd has called for the immediate removal of eight mining investors from the cadastre, accusing them of being listed illegally to operate on ranch land without proper consent from members. In a press briefing held in Voi on Wednesday, the cooperative’s leadership issued a statement raising serious concerns…

Experts call for faster adoption of drones as Egerton University pushes for modern farming

Sacco ReviewDecember 3, 202509 mins

Kenya’s agricultural sector—responsible for about 22 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics—is at a turning point, with experts urging a shift from traditional farming to technology-driven, precision agriculture. During the Agricultural Drone Pilots Training Programme at Egerton University’s Njoro Main Campus, agricultural scholars…

Tea farmers resists introduction of draconian regulations

Sacco ReviewDecember 2, 2025December 2, 202506 mins

Tea growers in the east of the rift are protesting against a proposal on the standardization of the tea bonus, calling on the stakeholders to enforce plucking of quality green leaf. In their Annual General Meetings, the farmers across the counties said the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) should ensure all the players are involved…

Varsity rolls out programme to train farmers on latest farming technologies, value addition

Sacco ReviewDecember 2, 202505 mins

Zetech University has rolled out a programme to educate farmers on better farming practices, value addition and marketing strategies to bolster their production which will eventually increase their profits. Speaking during the farmers symposium held in the institution, Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene said that the latest farming technologies, modernization and embracing value addition are…

Kenya Sugar Board CEO Chesire elected chair of International Sugar Organization (ISO)

Sacco ReviewDecember 1, 202505 mins

The Kenya Sugar Board chief executive officer (CEO) Jude Chesire has been elected to chair the International Sugar Organization (ISO) in 2026. In a statement, the Kenya Sugar Board celebrated the development, calling it a significant milestone for both the country and the continent. The board said Chesire’s election signals global confidence in the reforms…

Oparanya calls on lending institutions to accord MSMEs flexible credit terms

Sacco ReviewDecember 1, 202505 mins

The Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has called upon lending institutions to accord small businesses flexible terms in order to enable them access credit. Oparanya noted that many small businesses cannot afford credit due to stiff requirements adding that many of them have been forced to imitate…