- Kirinyaga coffee stakeholders push for closer cooperation across the value chain
- Farmers are being urged to strengthen their role through cooperative societies
- Research and quality planting materials take centre stage in coffee sector discussions
More than 2,000 coffee farmers and other industry players gathered in Kirinyaga County to mark International Coffee Day 2026. Stakeholders called for stronger collaboration to improve productivity, farmer incomes and the competitiveness of Kenya’s coffee sector.
The celebrations were held at the Kirinyaga County Cooperative Union Limited. They brought together farmers, processors, traders, regulators, researchers, policymakers and nongovernmental organisations to assess the opportunities and challenges facing the coffee value chain.
The event was presided over by Coffee Board of Kenya Chairperson Henry Kinyua, alongside officials from the Board, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Coffee Research Institute (CRI) and Kirinyaga County.
Kirinyaga County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture Dr John Gachara and CECM for Trade and Industry Calbert Munene were among the dignitaries who attended.
Mr Kinyua emphasised the need to increase coffee productivity in support of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda through a whole value chain approach. He called on farmers to join cooperative societies to strengthen collective bargaining. He also urged grassroots extension service providers to reach every farmer with relevant and timely support.
He further noted that the Board would work to promote Kenyan coffee globally and support efforts towards ensuring fair remuneration for farmers.
KALRO CRI Deputy Institute Director Dr Tony Maritim said research and access to quality planting materials remain critical to improving coffee production.
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Speaking during the celebrations, Dr Maritim highlighted the Institute’s role in producing quality coffee planting materials. He said it also provides farmers with accurate information grounded in research and offers training and technical advisory services.
He assured farmers of CRI’s commitment to address the current demand for quality planting materials. He also called for stronger collaboration in the production and distribution of coffee seeds and seedlings.
The celebrations also reflected Kenya’s growing engagement with international efforts aimed at strengthening coffee production. CRI Institute Director Dr Zachary Kinyua marked the day in Italy alongside four other CRI staff and delegates from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi and Mozambique.
The team was taking part in a Coffee Study Tour under the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Programme on Advancing Climate-resilience and Transformation in African Coffee (ACT Coffee Programme).
International Coffee Day offers an opportunity to recognise the contribution of millions of farmers, workers, researchers, businesses and consumers who sustain the global coffee value chain.
This year’s celebrations also placed emphasis on sustainable production, climate resilience, innovation, coffee quality and improved livelihoods for farmers. They also encouraged stakeholders to deepen partnerships that can shape the future of the sector.
By Lizzy Aluga
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