Deputy Governor H.E Evans Kapkea on Wednesday led farmers, cooperatives, agricultural stakeholders, and county leadership in commemorating International Coffee Day 2025, held under the global theme “Embracing Collaboration for Collective Action More Than Ever.” The event took place at Mr. Charles Boit’s farm in Kamagut Ward, Turbo Sub-County,” The celebrations highlighted the county’s progress in coffee farming and its renewed commitment to positioning coffee as a driver of economic transformation.

In his remarks, DG Kapkea underscored the importance of partnerships between farmers, government institutions, and private players in reviving the coffee sub-sector. He emphasized that collaboration is the key to long-term growth and reminded stakeholders that coffee is not just a cash crop, but a strategic economic driver capable of uplifting livelihoods.

The county now boasts more than 2.5 million coffee bushes — a remarkable achievement that reflects the revival of coffee farming in the region. This growth has been driven by Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim’s administration, which, in the 2024/25 Financial Year, distributed over 1,000,000 free coffee seedlings to farmers.

The Deputy Governor lauded this bold initiative, describing it as a testament to the county government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a pillar of economic empowerment.

DG Kapkea further reiterated the administration’s focus on strengthening extension services, research, and value-chain linkages to ensure that farmers not only grow coffee but also maximize returns. He stressed that expansion in acreage must go hand-in-hand with capacity building and improved access to both local and international markets.

On his part, CECM for Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr. Sam Kotut, assured farmers of continued county support in addressing challenges such as pests, diseases, quality control, and cooperative management.

Chief Officer Abraham Kiptalam encouraged farmers to embrace modern agricultural practices and join cooperatives to harness collective bargaining power and access fairer market opportunities.

As the world reflects on the future of coffee, Uasin Gishu’s leadership reaffirmed its vision to restore coffee as one of the most lucrative ventures, positioning the region as a key contributor to Kenya’s coffee production and export market.