The government has promised to revive Kenya’s coffee sector and apply the same reforms to dairy farming. The move aims to increase farmers’ incomes and strengthen key agricultural value chains.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya announced the plan on Saturday, February 7, 2026. He spoke after the Ministry Performance Contracting Retreat held in Mombasa.
Oparanya said the government wants to serve Kenyans better, faster, and with dignity. He added that farmers remain a top priority.
“We are revitalising the coffee sector and rolling out the same model in the dairy value chain,” Oparanya said. “Our goal is to raise farmers’ incomes and restore Kenya’s global standing.”
Coffee farmers to benefit from better systems
Coffee farming once earned Kenya major foreign exchange. Over time, production dropped due to mismanagement, climate change, and weak cooperatives.
Many small-scale farmers earn low prices and face delayed payments. These challenges have pushed some farmers out of coffee farming.
The government now plans to fix these problems. It will improve cooperative governance and promote transparency. Farmers will also get better access to inputs, processing, and markets.
Officials say these steps will help farmers earn more from their coffee.
Dairy sector to follow same reform model
The government will extend the same approach to the dairy sector. Dairy farmers face unstable milk prices and limited processing options.
Oparanya said lessons from coffee reforms will guide dairy improvements. The plan focuses on stronger cooperatives and value addition.
Officials believe better processing and market access will stabilise farmers’ incomes. The reforms also aim to improve product quality.
Goal is stronger global competitiveness
Beyond incomes, the reforms aim to restore Kenya’s reputation in global markets. Oparanya said quality and consistency will help Kenyan products compete internationally.
Higher earnings for farmers could also boost rural economies. Officials expect job creation and better food security.
Government strengthens cooperative oversight
Oparanya said the government is strengthening oversight in the cooperative sector. Authorities are improving the SACCO regulator to protect members’ savings.
The government is also reviewing the SACCO Societies Act of 2008. The changes aim to improve governance and rebuild trust.
“We want to protect savings and restore confidence in cooperatives,” Oparanya said.
Recent SACCO failures hurt public trust. The government believes stricter rules will prevent mismanagement.
Support for MSMEs also expanded
The ministry is also supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises. Officials are mapping businesses across the country to understand their needs.
The data will help design better support programmes.
One key initiative is MSMEs Connect. The programme links entrepreneurs to finance, markets, and digital tools.
“We are helping small businesses grow into sustainable enterprises,” Oparanya said.
Legal reforms will also simplify registration and access to credit.
Counties to play key role
Oparanya said the ministry is working with county governments. The aim is to bring services closer to the people.
He added that cooperation will ensure reforms reach both rural and urban areas.
The government believes these changes will improve livelihoods. Farmers and small businesses stand to benefit most.