DP Kindiki: New Coffee Act to streamline sector and raise farmer incomes

The DP further expressed the government's unwavering interest to invest adequate funds and rolling out key policies to develop the sub-sector for farmers to reap from their investments.

Speaking on Monday when he inspected various development projects in Runyenjes Constituency, Embu County, Prof. Kindiki said the government will ensure the success of the ongoing coffee reforms.  

“The President signed into law the Coffee Act last week. We now have the best legal framework to continue rolling out coffee reforms. We are streamlining the sector to improve income for farmers,” DP said.

The Act signed into law by President Ruto reestablishes the Coffee Board of Kenya and the Coffee Research and Training Institute among other crucial interventions aimed at raising farmers’ earnings.

From previous interventions by the administration since coming to office in 2022, farmers have continued receiving better pay which has gone up from an average of 50 shillings per kg to 150 shillings.

“With the coming into force of the Act, we are going to improve the prices of coffee, tea and macadamia for our farmers to continue earning more. When we took over it was between 40 and 60 shillings per kilogram but that has gone up to between 120 and 150 shillings,” DP said.

Further, the Deputy President assured residents of Embu County that the administration is accelerating completion of ongoing projects worth billions of shillings initiated by the government.

Among them are seven major road projects estimated to cost 25 billion shillings ongoing in the four constituencies in the county: Runyenjes, Manyatta, Mbeer North and Mbeere South.

Twelve modern markets are also underway in the county including Runyenjes Town Modern and Embu Town Modern Markets.

The DP inspected the progress of Runyenjes Modern Market which is set for completion before the end of the year. It will cost 181 million shillings. The Embu town market has been allocated 1 billion shillings and will be among the biggest in the country once complete.

“We will ensure all these projects are completed as scheduled. We have already completed a number of roads and those underway will be completed on time,” he stated.

The DP also checked on the construction progress of Huduma Centre in Runyenjes town which is 50 percent complete.

He said the government will release the required 55 million shillings for its completion before the end of the year.

“I assure the people of Runyenjes that we will allocate the remaining money to complete it for the people to get easy access to government services like ID application and collection, land registration and others,” he said.

Prof. Kindiki said this year will be wholly dedicated to ensuring faster progress of projects. He challenged members of the opposition to tell Kenyans what they did for them when they were in power.

“This year, it will be working for Kenyans every day from morning to evening, Monday to Monday, January to December. Leadership is about development and improving the lives of the people. Those we are competing with should tell us what they did when they were in power,” he noted.

He warned them against inciting youth saying violence will not be tolerated.

“Let us compete on development not violence. A leader should not incite youth to violence. We cannot tolerate violence,” he said.

The DP was accompanied by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo, Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba, Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, Woman Representative Pamela Njoki, host of MCAs among others.