In 2019, Kenya's central region administration introduced requirements for coffee factory managers to disclose dry bean stock levels and transportation schedules, seeking to strengthen security protocols against theft. The directive also mandates centralized warehouse storage for coffee beans to enhance oversight.
Wilson Njega, regional security coordinator, emphasized that factory management often fails to coordinate with security agencies, hindering effective theft prevention. "In every reported theft case, there was no collaboration with security officers, making it challenging to develop targeted countermeasures," he stated.
Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Njeru Ndwiga revealed that coffee theft costs farmers up to Sh3 billion annually. "Without factory-level insurance coverage, theft-related losses directly affect farmers during payment settlements," he explained.
Njega noted the complexity of aligning security efforts between national and county governments, as agriculture falls under devolved authority. The measures aim to create a unified approach to protect coffee supplies and stabilize farmer incomes.
