Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim on Wednesday launched the distribution of 157,000 quality coffee seedlings for farmers in Turbo Sub-County, enough to establish approximately 157 acres of coffee, as the County rolls out its ambitious one-million coffee seedling programme for 2026.

The launch exercise, held at Tiret Hospital and Leseru Chief’s Office, builds on more than 1.2 million coffee seedlings distributed previously across the county.

Governor Bii said the County Government is committed to moving beyond seedling distribution by strengthening the entire coffee value chain through farmer training, extension support, cooperative development, processing and value addition.

He announced that each coffee cooperative will be supported with a coffee pulper to improve post-harvest handling, coffee quality and local processing, enabling farmers to retain more value from their produce.

Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea highlighted how Governor Bii’s administration has supported farmers and cooperative leaders to benchmark in Kiambu County, exposing them to best practices in coffee production, processing, value addition, cooperative management and marketing.

Uasin Gishu currently has about 1,200 hectares under coffee, while farmers in Soy Sub-County generated more than KSh50 million in coffee sales in 2025, demonstrating the growing economic potential of the crop.

The 2026 programme, themed “Brewing Prosperity: Enhancing the Coffee Value Chain for Sustainable Economic Empowerment,” is being implemented across all six sub-counties as part of Governor Bii’s Nguzo Kumi development agenda, with agriculture as the first pillar.

Also present were CECMs Anthony Sitienei, Dr. Philip Chebunet and Loice Murey; Tapsagoi Ward MCA Nicholas Bitok Rende; and Chief Officers Eng. Abraham Kiptalam and Mark Some, alongside farmers, cooperative leaders and other county officials.