By Meshack M. Ngangi, MPRSK | September 1, 2025

A delegation from the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (New KPCU), led by Managing Director Mr. Timothy Mirugi, paid a courtesy visit to The Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK). The team – hosted by CUK’s Registrar for Finance, Planning and Administration, Mr. Chris Kathoka – discussed a strategic collaboration to revive Kenya’s coffee cooperatives and production. In particular, CUK is set to be among the institutions earmarked to train “ward coffee champions” across all 34 coffee-growing counties, strengthening local cooperative leadership. The partnership outlines several key initiatives aimed at strengthening Kenya’s coffee sector:

• Campus Coffee Cafés: Establish modern, student‑focused coffee cafés on the university campus to boost local consumption.
• Cooperative Training: Provide training for ward‑level coffee champions on cooperative development, reinforcing grassroots co‑operative structures.
• Seedling Propagation: Build capacity in coffee seedling propagation and sustainable farming to empower smallholder coffee farmers.

These initiatives underscore New KPCU’s commitment to fostering a vibrant coffee culture among young people, supporting cooperative growth, and securing the future of Kenyan coffee.

Promoting Campus Coffee Culture

Only a small fraction of Kenya’s coffee is consumed locally – roughly 5% domestically and 95% exported. To reverse this trend, the new partnership will create attractive on-campus coffee cafés that showcase Kenyan beans to students. This idea taps into a growing specialty coffee scene: analysts note that Nairobi’s coffee shops (e.g. Java, Spring Valley, Art Café and Connect Coffee) are increasingly popular among young consumers.

By exposing students to locally grown coffee in social settings, the collaboration aims to inspire a new generation of coffee drinkers and future farmers. Studies suggest that a vibrant café culture can “positively impact youth and inspire them to become the next generation of coffee farmers,” as baristas educate customers about coffee’s origin and quality. Campus cafés will leverage this trend to boost domestic demand and connect youth with Kenya’s coffee heritage.

Strengthening Cooperatives through Training

A successful coffee sector requires strong farmer organizations. The partnership will therefore emphasize cooperative development at the grassroots. CUK and New KPCU plan to hold workshops and field clinics where university experts and co-op leaders train ward‑level champions on good governance, business planning, and aggregate marketing. This focus is well‑founded: when functioning properly, co-operative societies provide “much needed support and training” to producers and easier access to market channels like the Nairobi Coffee Exchange. 

Historically, roughly half of Kenya’s coffee farmers have been members of co‑ops, so revitalizing these institutions is key. By empowering local ward champions and strengthening co-op networks, the partnership aims to rebuild trust, improve transparency, and ensure that farmers benefit directly from higher coffee yields and prices.

Empowering Farmers and Sustainable Growth

Beyond cafés and training, the collaboration targets productivity and sustainability on the farm. Training programs will include coffee nursery techniques and improved agronomy, so farmers can grow more resilient, high‑yield varieties. This complements the national Coffee Revival Programme, which is distributing millions of certified seedlings to boost production. In fact, New KPCU’s managing director has publicly emphasized a long-term goal of tripling Kenya’s annual coffee output by distributing improved seedlings and agronomic support. 

The CUK–KPCU partnership will align with these goals by educating farmers on best practices in propagation and cultivation. Special attention will be given to youth: the program seeks to involve young farmers directly, ensuring that the next generation has the skills and resources to succeed.

Together, these coordinated efforts – from campus coffee shops to co-op training and seedling distribution – aim to secure the future of Kenyan coffee. By leveraging the Cooperative University’s research and training capacity alongside New KPCU’s field networks, the partnership promises to nurture a new coffee culture in Kenya: one that values local consumption, cooperative empowerment, and sustainable growth. As a key national effort, this collaboration reflects a shared vision that investing in youth and co-operatives today will yield a stronger, more profitable coffee industry for Kenya tomorrow.