Governor Bii Flags Off Countywide Coffee Seedling Program

Uasin Gishu County distributed 44,000 coffee seedlings to farmers in Kaptagat, Ainabkoi/Olare, Kapsoya, Tembelio, and Kimumu wards today, at Naiberi Primary School, advancing organic coffee farming. Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, overseeing the event, stated, “We are keen on advancing this impactful wealth creation strategy, through our ambitious target of distributing one million coffee seedlings across the county.” This move supports sustainable agriculture in Kenya.

The Uasin Gishu initiative aims to distribute 383,333 seedlings this year, with 5 million planned for the next financial year. Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, speaking in Eldoret, said, “This is a great day for farmers from the great county because, as we speak, I want to assure you that the government has plans to distribute 20 million seedlings and has furthermore set aside Sh 500 million to boost coffee production not only in Uasin Gishu but for the entire country.” A Sh 2 billion investment in pulping machines supports organic processing.

The program, backed by the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB), features Batian seedlings suited for organic farming. Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, at the distribution, noted, “As a county, we fully support this move by the government and we are organizing a one on one meeting with coffee farmers to know what areas in the sector can be improved.” Coffee Directorate officials, on May 18, 2025, urged organic practices, stating, “We are working to reposition Kenyan coffee in the global market.”

With global demand for organic coffee growing and Kenya’s pesticide ban in June 2025, the coffee seedlings Uasin Gishu program helps farmers meet EU sustainability standards, boosting incomes and environmental health.