Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wcliffe Oparanya has tapped Kakamega leaders in a government effort to urge farmers to embrace coffee farming as a way to improve their livelihoods and boost the local economy, besides sugarcane farming.
Speaking on Saturday in Ikolomani and Butere Constituencies in Kakamega during a meeting with farmers, Oparanya said the government is keen on reviving coffee farming in the region through cooperative societies and better market linkages.
“Coffee is no longer just a crop. It is an economic pillar. If we organise well, we can restore the crop to its former glory and ensure farmers earn from their sweat,” said CS Oparanya.
The forum brought together farmers from Shinyalu, Lurambi, Navakholo, and Ikolomani, with a similar meeting later held in Butere to engage farmers from Matungu, Khwisero, Mumias East, Mumias West, and the host constituency.
Oparanya emphasised the role of cooperative societies in shielding farmers from exploitation by brokers and enabling access to subsidised inputs, training, and affordable credit.
“We want coffee farming to be profitable again. Through cooperatives, farmers will be able to process, brand, and even export their produce directly,” he added.
The CS acknowledged the frustration farmers have faced in the past, including poor prices and limited access to markets, but assured them of the government’s commitment to reform the sector.
“This time, the reforms are real. We are putting in place systems that will protect the farmer and improve productivity,” he said.
The CS said the initiative aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritises grassroots economic empowerment through sectors such as agriculture.
He also said Kenya’s coffee sector contributes over KSh 20 billion annually to the economy, but Western Kenya has historically lagged behind in production volumes. Oparanya now hopes to change that narrative.
“Kakamega has the soil, the rainfall, and the manpower. What has been missing is support and coordination—and that is what we are here to provide,” he concluded.
He said that the government has been supplying fertiliser and also urged residents not to use the maize fertiliser on coffee.
“Coffee has its own fertiliser, please don't use that one for maize on coffee. Your coffee won't mature,” he said.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said his county is ready and dedicated to supporting farmers to plant and grow coffee to create employment and boost the local economy.
"As the governor, I am dedicated to helping our people to plant and grow coffee, and I want to thank the CS for establishing a coffee milling plant in Kakamega that is going to create job employment and boost our economy. I will be in the frontline to sponsor atleast 50 farmers from each of the 12 constituencies to Meru, our farmers to Meru for benchmarking of the coffee farming for diversification in the farming," said Barasa.
He added, “We are exploring every opportunity to create wealth for our farmers by diversifying agriculture. Coffee offers a steady market, and it’s time Kakamega reclaimed its space in Kenya’s coffee map."
Farmers welcomed the renewed focus, with many expressing hope that the government’s promises would materialise into tangible support.
“This visit gives us hope. If government support is real this time, we’re ready to go back to coffee,” said Peter Lijembe, a farmer from Ikolomani.
Another farmer from Khwisero, Jane Maloba, urged the government to act swiftly:
“We need seedlings, extension officers, and access to markets. If those three things are sorted, we are ready.”
