Coffee farmers across the country have strongly opposed the government’s proposed new mode of payment for coffee sales, warning that it could collapse coffee societies and sideline genuine farmers from key decision-making processes.
During a heated forum held in Nairobi and organized by the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE), farmers, elected leaders, and stakeholders voiced their frustrations over what they termed as an “unconstitutional” and “unfair” restructuring of the coffee value chain without proper consultations.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who addressed the forum in her capacity as a coffee farmer, sharply criticized the Nairobi Coffee Exchange for allegedly bypassing farmers and imposing decisions without their consent.
“We cannot be using voters to expedite what we want. We cannot be wasting people’s time and resources and then proceed to make decisions without consulting the real farmers,” Wamuchomba said, adding that the NCE had overstepped its mandate. “You are not a bank. You are not a service provider. You are not in charge of our money.”
Wamuchomba condemned the introduction of controversial regulations during the December holiday season, claiming that they were introduced secretly and without public participation.
She further questioned the legitimacy of the Direct Settlement System (DSS), which is said to be responsible for processing farmers’ payments, claiming that “there is no registered body or company called DSS.”
She also slammed the decision to pay farmers through M-pesa, alleging that no competitive tendering process was carried out. “There are many digital money platforms – Airtel Money, Equitel, and M-Pesa.
Have you publicly done a tender? How did you choose one, she asked, warning that such decisions risk undermining the sustainability of coffee factories. “No farmer will repay loans or contribute to factory development if this mode of payment is forced on them.”
A farmer from Baringo accused the government of “sneaking in” regulations and warned that direct payments could collapse the sector. “If this is implemented, coffee quality will drop, farmers will lose, and the nation’s foreign exchange earnings will be affected.”
The farmers insisted that coffee payments should be handled by societies and aggregation centers, with funds then disbursed through banks of their choice. They warned that any attempt to force M-Pesa payments or dismantle cooperatives would be met with nationwide protests.
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge, who also chairs the Parliamentary Coffee Caucus, acknowledged the grievances raised and emphasized the importance of transparent and inclusive reforms.
While recognizing the need to streamline the coffee value chain, he stressed that any changes must support smallholder farmers, most of whom produce less than 300 kilograms of coffee annually.
Mathenge urged the government to ensure that the restructuring process does not expose farmers to financial vulnerability or marginalize their voices. “We are in the process of implementing reforms with a deadline by July this year. But these changes must come from genuine consultation with farmers,” he said.
The MP confirmed that engagements were ongoing between farmers, the Ministry of Cooperatives, and other stakeholders, and that the concerns raised during the forum would inform further dialogue.
The latest uproar is part of growing resistance to the government’s broader coffee sector reforms, which include introducing new payment platforms and redefining roles within the coffee marketing and value chain.
Farmers and leaders alike are calling for a reset — one that puts the farmer at the center and ensures fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in the decision-making process.
As the July implementation deadline approaches, pressure continues to mount on the government to halt the rollout of controversial regulations and embrace meaningful consultation with grassroots farmers.