Kenya can solve coffee crisis by protecting its single origin brand

Ripe coffee berries. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

Kenya has a distinct position in the global coffee market. When our coffee is not used as a blend for other inferior-quality coffees, it is a prominent and loved product in high-end speciality markets. The explosive acidity and distinctive fruity notes of the Kenyan coffee has rendered it an easy sell.

Unfortunately, behind the reputable Kenyan coffee brand is a legion of over 700,000 small-scale farmers, most of whom appear to have been short-changed in the trade.