Ruto Pushes Coffee Value Addition, Subsidies And National Unity Agenda In Kirinyaga Address
News Updated: 22 June 2026 16:12 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto speaking during the Launch of Coffee Revival conference in Kianyaga Kirinyaga County
President William Ruto has renewed his push for value addition in Kenya’s agricultural sector, saying the country must stop exporting raw produce and instead process goods locally to retain more economic benefits.
Speaking in Kirinyaga County, Ruto said the government is committed to ensuring coffee, tea, avocado and macadamia are processed within Kenya through roasting, milling, blending, branding and packaging to increase returns to farmers.
He said: “Tutaongeza thamani ya kahawa hapa Kenya kwa kuichoma, kuisaga, kuichanganya, kuipa nembo na chapa ya kuvutia ama packaging ili sehemu kubwa ya mapato ibaki hapa Kenya.”
Ruto linked the value addition agenda to broader continental trade reforms, stating that Africa should no longer export raw materials without industrial processing that creates jobs locally.
He said Kenya is leading efforts under regional and international engagements to ensure processing of agricultural and natural resources happens within producing countries.
“We are going to make sure that we add value. We do not sell raw coffee. We make sure that coffee is not sold in the raw form,” he said.
The President said such reforms would generate employment for young people while increasing national revenue and improving farmers’ incomes.
Ruto emphasized that Kenya must develop a strong national coffee brand, arguing that countries such as Switzerland, Italy and Brazil have successfully built global coffee identities.
“The next big thing in the coffee sector is going to be the Kenyan brand of coffee anywhere in the world,” he said.
He added that Kenyan coffee remains among the best globally, but requires stronger branding and industrial processing to maximize its value in international markets.
Ruto also said farmers must be placed at the centre of the coffee value chain, noting that cooperatives should ensure growers receive a larger share of earnings.
He stated that ongoing reforms are intended to increase transparency and guarantee farmers better returns from coffee sales.
The President also reiterated that coffee prices have improved significantly, saying reforms have pushed farmgate prices to between Sh120 and Sh160 per kilogram.
“Si kahawa leo ni bei sawasawa? Leo kahawa inauzwa 120, 150 ama haiuzwi?” he posed during the address.
He said the government has also reduced fertilizer prices from about Sh6,000–Sh7,000 to approximately Sh2,500 to lower production costs for farmers.
Ruto said the administration will continue removing intermediaries he termed as exploitative brokers in the agricultural value chain.
“Niliwaambia nitafukuza wakora hawa wote ambao wametusumbua kwa sekta ya kahawa… wamehama,” he said.
On infrastructure development, the President said the government is implementing affordable housing, market construction and road projects in Kirinyaga worth billions of shillings.
He noted that the government has allocated about Sh15 billion for housing and market infrastructure in the county.
Ruto also highlighted expansion of cooperative-driven industrial parks, saying value addition facilities will enable counties to brand and sell local produce under unified labels.
On health, he said the Social Health Authority (SHA) rollout has recorded strong uptake in Kirinyaga, with about 75% registration, and pledged continued funding for healthcare services.
“Gharama ya hospitali italipwa na bima ya afya ya jamii, kazi yenu ni kujisajili,” he said.
The President further defended his education funding policies, saying the government has increased allocations for learning institutions and student loans to ensure access to higher education.
He also urged national unity, rejecting divisive politics and insisting his administration is focused on inclusive development across all regions.
“Hatuna nafasi ya kugawanya wananchi wa Kenya… We want to move together as one people,” he said.
Ruto concluded by reaffirming his commitment to transform agriculture, expand value addition and strengthen Kenya’s global competitiveness through branding and industrialisation of key export crops.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD