Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of 103,000 quality coffee seedlings to farmers in Moiben Sub-County, marking another major step in the county’s drive to expand coffee production and diversify farmers’ incomes.

The seedlings are being distributed across the five wards of Karuna/Meibeki, Moiben, Sergoit, Tembelio and Kimumu, with the potential to establish approximately 103 acres of new coffee plantations.

Moiben, traditionally known for its large-scale maize farming, has significant potential to transform its agricultural economy by diversifying into high-value crops such as coffee. Expanding coffee production will allow farmers to complement maize with a long-term commercial crop capable of generating additional and sustainable household incomes.

The distribution is part of Uasin Gishu County’s 2026 one-million coffee seedling programme, which seeks to expand coffee acreage while strengthening the entire coffee value chain through farmer training, extension support, cooperative development, processing, value addition and benchmarking visits.

Governor Bii said his administration is committed to transforming coffee into a profitable commercial enterprise for farmers by investing not only in quality seedlings but also in extension services, farmer training, cooperative development, processing and value addition.

He said the County’s focus is to ensure farmers move beyond production to benefit from the full coffee value chain, creating sustainable incomes and strengthening the rural economy.

Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea said the expansion of coffee farming in Moiben presents an opportunity for farmers to diversify beyond large-scale maize production and build sustainable sources of household income.

Members of County Assembly (MCAs), James Serem (Karuna/Meibeki), Hillary Kipchumba (Moiben), David Keitany (Sergoit) and Reuben Tobosei (Tembelio) attended the event.

County Executive for Agriculture, Agribusiness, Livestock and Fisheries Dr. Sam Kotut, said the County Government will continue supporting farmers with quality seedlings, extension services, training and value-chain interventions to ensure coffee farming becomes a profitable and commercially viable enterprise.

The Governor was also accompanied by CECMs Dr. Philip Chebunet (Trade), Eng. Lucy Ngendo, Robert Kemei (Sports) and Anthony Sitienei (Water), as well as Chief Officers, Directors and other County Government officials.

Under the theme “Brewing Prosperity: Enhancing the Coffee Value Chain for Sustainable Economic Empowerment,” the 2026 programme is being implemented across all six sub-counties as part of Nguzo Kumi, with agriculture being Nguzo 1.