Coffee farmers in Kirinyaga County are celebrating record-high payouts in the 2024/2025 season, marking a major win for the national coffee sector reforms. With payouts ranging between Ksh100 and Ksh145 per kilogram of cherry, the move signals renewed hope for the region’s smallholder farmers.
Leading the pack is Gacami Coffee Factory under Baragwi Farmers Cooperative Society, which is offering Ksh145.10 per kilo the highest in the county. Other top-paying factories include Karumandi (Ksh144.30), Mukure (Ksh144.25), and Mucagara (Ksh143.80).
The announcement follows recent visits by President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to Central Kenya, where they emphasized the government’s commitment to agricultural transformation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Their message is now resonating on the ground, as farmers begin to reap tangible benefits.
The reforms have dismantled exploitative value chains by eliminating middlemen, promoting direct market access, and strengthening farmer-owned cooperatives. In a major milestone, 14 cooperative societies registered the Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company Limited, which is now licensed to operate at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange. This has allowed farmers to bypass costly brokers and access better prices.
Governor Anne Waiguru praised the intergovernmental efforts, calling the payouts “a testament to what can be achieved when all levels of government work together to prioritize farmers.” She noted that county-led interventions, including input subsidies, extension services, and cooperative strengthening, are bearing fruit.
Farmers echoed the optimism. Joyce Wanjiku, chairperson of Rungeto Farmers Cooperative, credited the impressive returns to good farming practices and timely input support. Baragwi Cooperative Manager Cyrus Chomba highlighted investments in solar dryers and efficient miller deliveries as game changers in quality and pricing.
With Kirinyaga producing an average of 40,000 tons of coffee annually and earning farmers over Ksh2.8 billion, the sector’s revival is evident. Farmers like Josphat Gachoki and Lydiah Wanjira expressed renewed hope and commitment to even better yields in future seasons.
As both levels of government continue to collaborate, the future looks bright for Kirinyaga’s coffee growers.
