It is not in doubt that farming is the key drive of economy of Mt. Kenya region. Coffee, is particularly the poster crop that defines the agricultural wellness of a region that heavily relies on commercial and subsistence agriculture for sustainability.
It is for this reason that Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni wa Muchomba applauded the government’s reforms in the coffee sector, saying that, due to its interventions, farmers’ gross production has gone up and prices have increased.
Gathoni’s assertions comes in the wake of Ruto administration’s efforts to bolster reforms in the sector.
The government has introduced reforms to the sector and revealed that it has disbursed Ksh9.7 billion to farmers through the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund in a bid to double coffee production within the next three years.
Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Wycliffe Oparanya revealed that coffee production in Kenya has dropped to less than 70,000 metric tons down from 150,000 metric tons annually in the 1980s and 1990s.
He attributed the drop to market inefficiencies, weak co-operative governance and reduced farm productivity.
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Gathoni noted the increase in the prices of coffee, which she says has gone up by more than Ksh100 since 2022, when the current government took over power. She has also noted the increase in the amount of coffee produced, which she attributes to the interventions by the government to subsidise inputs.
“I have been on the front line fighting for the coffee value chain. When I came into office in the year 2022, my farmers were earning as low as Ksh 11 per kilo. Today, farmers are earning way above Ksh 130 per kilo. Gross Production has also gone very high due to the provision of Advance cherry funds and subsidised fertiliser. Why would I abandon such achievements, yet I have been pressing for them? Allow me to work first, support the Regime to gain more,” Gathoni said.
In her statement, Gathoni has indicated her support to president William Ruto and the government.
The outspoken lawmaker has shifted back her allegiance to Ruto despite being a fearless critic of his regime in the past. She has now vowed to work with the government, saying that it is time for work and not politics.
Gathoni recently broke loose with the former deputy president and the Democratic Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Gathoni’s sentiments have come at a time when political realignments are taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Elections, her moves lately indicating support for the ruling party, UDA.
