Members of Baragwi coffe co-operative society observe coffee on drying beds at Nyanja Factory in Kirinyaga county/ ALICE WAITHERA


Coffee farmers in Kirinyaga county are celebrating a record Sh7.4 billion payout, cementing its status as the leading coffee producer in the country.

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The latest payments ranged between Sh104 and Sh157.40 per kilogramme of cherry, with the average payout standing at Sh139 per kilogramme. This reflects improved global prices, better-quality produce and sustained reforms in the sector.

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Top-performing cooperatives were led by Thirikwa Farmers’ Cooperative Society, which posted the highest average payout at Sh157.15 per kilogramme, followed by Rung’eto Farmers’ Cooperative Society at Sh155.62 and Rwama Farmers’ Cooperative Society at Sh152.03.

Out of the total payout from coffee sales, farmers will take home Sh6.99 billion, while the balance will go towards factory operational costs.

Governor Anne Waiguru hailed the payout as evidence that reforms introduced by the county government and cooperative societies were bearing fruit.

“Kirinyaga has done it again. Our farmers are once more leading the country with the highest coffee payouts. This is a clear reflection of quality, strong cooperatives and deliberate support from the county government,” she said.

Coffee production in the county rose from 45,717 tonnes in the 2024-25 season to 49,100 tonnes in 2025-26, underlining growth in both output and earnings.

The latest returns place Kirinyaga among the best-paying coffee regions nationally, with factories under Baragwi Coffee Cooperative Society and Rung’eto Farmers’ Cooperative Society dominating the top payout rankings.

Nyanja Factory under Baragwi recorded the highest factory payout at Sh157.40 per kilogramme, followed by Kiangoi Factory at Sh156.30, Kii Factory at Sh155.62 and Karimikui Factory at Sh155.50, all under Rung’eto Farmers’ Cooperative Society.

Guama Factory also posted a strong return of Sh151.30 per kilogramme.

Waiguru said county interventions had been central to the sector’s turnaround, citing subsidised high-quality seedlings and fertiliser, strengthened extension services, farmer training and installation of modern solar dryers at factory level.

She added that the county had also supported the construction of a coffee warehouse for the union dry mill and enhanced market access through the Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company.

Baragwi Coffee Cooperative Society chairman Francis Muriithi said the latest earnings reflected steady growth from the previous season, when the average payout stood at about Sh134 per kilogramme.

“This is a clear improvement compared to last year. Our average has increased by about Sh5 per kilogramme, which is a significant gain for farmers,” he said.

Muriithi attributed the growth to improved coffee quality, timely access to farm inputs, enhanced farmer training and streamlined licensing processes.

However, he urged the national government to consider waiving historical debts owed by farmers to further boost net returns.

He noted that Baragwi processed about 13 million kilogrammes of cherry this season, translating to nearly Sh1.8 billion in farmer payouts.

At the grassroots, farmers say the improved returns are renewing confidence in coffee farming after years of fluctuating earnings.

Farmer Francis Gachoki from Kagongo Factory under Baragwi said his payout increased from Sh128 to Sh135 per kilogramme, which he attributed to improved market systems and reforms in cooperative management.

He said investments in infrastructure, including better rural roads and revived processing systems, had also improved efficiency in the movement and handling of coffee.

At Thirikwa Farmers’ Cooperative Society, chairman David Njomo said the society’s farmers were encouraged by the strong returns after producing about 1.566 million kilogrammes of cherry this season.

“This season has been very rewarding for our farmers. We have about 1.566 million kilogrammes of cherry, translating to over Sh200 million at an average rate of around Sh157 per kilogramme,” he said.

Njomo attributed the performance to sustained county support through subsidised fertiliser, drying beds and investments in processing infrastructure.

He said the interventions had significantly improved both productivity and bean quality.

Across the county, most cooperative societies have now announced their final payments, with the lowest payout standing at Sh104 per kilogramme.

The latest returns have raised optimism among farmers that, with sustained reforms, better management and favourable market conditions, future payouts could surpass Sh200 per kilogramme.

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Top-performing cooperatives were led by Thirikwa Farmers’ Cooperative Society, which posted the highest average payout at Sh157.15 per kilogramme, followed by Rung’eto Farmers’ Cooperative Society at Sh155.62 and Rwama Farmers’ Cooperative Society at Sh152.03. Coffee production in the county rose from 45,717 tonnes in the 2024/2025 season to 49,100 tonnes in 2025-26, underlining growth in both output and earnings.