Gathoni Wamuchomba Leads Coffee Sector Reforms Meeting in Ndumberi, Kiambu -

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By John Kariuki

Githunguri Member of Parliament Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba on Saturday led a pivotal coffee stakeholders’ meeting in Ndumberi, Kiambu County, aimed at addressing the challenges facing farmers and rejuvenating Kenya’s coffee industry.

The forum was attended by key leaders including Kiambu County MP Hon. Macua Waithaka, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, and Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi. The leaders admitted that bold reforms are urgently needed to revive the spirit of cooperatives and safeguard farmers’ earnings.

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Speaking to a gathering of farmers and cooperative leaders, Hon. Wamuchomba emphasized the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability in the coffee value chain.

During the meeting, farmers presented a list of 10 critical demands, including:

Full remittance of proceeds to farmers via factory accounts.
Timely direct payments in US dollars via the Direct Settlement System (DSS).
Increase in Cherry Advance Fund to KSh 80 per kilo (currently under KSh 40).
Free fertilizer distribution through cooperatives.
Rejection of the proposed 1.8% Capital Markets levy on auction brokers.
Guarantee farmers receive at least 80% of sales revenue.
Inclusion of youth in leadership of coffee societies.
Formation of a special police unit to curb coffee theft.
Reinstatement of KSh 6.8 billion in promised debt waivers.
Prosecution of fraud in coffee societies to protect farmers’ earnings.

CS Oparanya acknowledged the urgency of the farmers’ concerns and committed to continued dialogue and policy reforms to revitalize the sector.

Hon. Wamuchomba vowed to continue championing farmers’ rights, declaring: “We must restore dignity to our coffee farmers and protect their hard-earned income.”