Coffee Reforms Bill to Transform Sector, End Rogue Leadership, Says CS Oparanya

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Speaking in Embu County during the commissioning of Coffee Revitalization Committees for Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Kirinyaga counties, Oparanya said the proposed laws are aimed at addressing long-standing challenges that have left coffee farmers with low returns despite their hard work.

The Cabinet Secretary said many coffee farmers have suffered for years due to poor leadership and mismanagement within cooperative societies, accusing rogue officials of exploiting farmers and weakening the cooperative movement.

He said the proposed Cooperatives Bill will seal leadership loopholes that have allowed some officials to misuse cooperative societies for personal gain, insisting that stronger governance structures are key to reviving the sector.

According to Oparanya, poor governance has significantly contributed to the decline in coffee production in Kenya, adding that restoring transparency and accountability in cooperatives will rebuild farmers' confidence and boost productivity.

He noted that the bill clearly defines the roles of both the national and county governments in managing the cooperative sector, creating well-structured institutions that will better protect coffee farmers and strengthen the cooperative movement.

Oparanya also highlighted the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2008, saying it seeks to improve financing within the cooperative movement and provide stronger financial support to various cooperative sectors across the country.

On coffee earnings, the Cabinet Secretary said the government is reviewing the Minimum Guaranteed Return to ensure farmers receive better advance payments while waiting for their coffee to be marketed.

He revealed that the government currently pays farmers an advance of Sh40 per kilogramme of cherry through the Cherry Advance Revolving Fund but is considering increasing the amount to Sh60 to improve farmers' cash flow.

Coffee Revitalization Committee Chairman Njeru Ndwiga said Kenya's coffee industry once flourished before liberalization weakened cooperative leadership and created loopholes that were exploited by a few individuals.

Ndwiga said the collapse of coffee unions and weak oversight turned many cooperative societies into businesses serving individual interests instead of farmers, with some leaders remaining in office for years without accountability.

He called for comprehensive reforms to restore integrity within coffee cooperatives, saying stronger institutions and transparent leadership are essential to returning the sector to its former glory.

Meanwhile, Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma issued a stern warning against rising cases of coffee theft at factories, saying security agencies will firmly deal with those involved. He said the government will not tolerate criminal activities that deny farmers the full value of their produce and vowed to protect the country's coffee value chain.