Uasin Gishu’s Coffee Seedling Drive: Reviving Farming and Boosting Farmer Incomes in 2025

On June 27, 2025, Uasin Gishu County distributed 44,000 high-quality coffee seedlings to farmers in Kaptagat, Ainabkoi/Olare, Kapsoya, Tembelio, and Kimumu wards at Naiberi Primary School, marking a significant push to revive Kenya coffee farming. Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, who led the event, announced, “We are keen on advancing this impactful wealth creation strategy, through our ambitious target of distributing one million coffee seedlings across the county.” The initiative aims to boost farmer incomes and position Uasin Gishu as a coffee production hub.

The distribution is part of a broader county plan to supply 383,333 coffee seedlings this year, with 5 million more planned for the next financial year. Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya, addressing farmers in Eldoret, revealed national support, stating, “This is a great day for farmers from the great county because, as we speak, I want to assure you that the government has plans to distribute 20 million seedlings and has furthermore set aside Sh 500 million to boost coffee production not only in Uasin Gishu but for the entire country.” The government has allocated Sh 2 billion for coffee pulping machines to enhance processing.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang joined forces on June 17, 2025, to promote coffee farming under the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB), encouraging farmers to shift from maize to high-value crops like coffee. Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, present at the Naiberi event, emphasized, “As a county, we fully support this move by the government and we are organizing a one on one meeting with coffee farmers to know what areas in the sector can be improved.” The county’s focus on Batian seedlings, known for disease resistance, supports this transition.

The initiative comes as coffee prices reach Ksh 700–800 per kilogram, offering farmers better returns than maize, which has seen declining yields. The county’s Agricultural Management Information System (AIMS) will track progress, ensuring efficient distribution.