This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
On November 23, 2019, a new chapter unfolded for Kenyan coffee farmers as a Kenyan entrepreneur launched an auction for Kenyan coffee in the US.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya led local coffee roasters in witnessing the launch of the auction in the Grand Island city of Nebraska State, marking a significant milestone in Kenya's coffee industry.
The auction, designed by Laban Njuguna, a Kenyan entrepreneur based in Nebraska, aims to link Kenyan growers with US roasters, providing a platform for efficient access to high-quality coffee and better pay for farmers.
According to Njuguna, his mission is to empower farmers to act as their own brand ambassadors, receiving better pay for their high-quality coffee.
The plight of Kenyan coffee farmers, including Njuguna's grandmother Joyce Waithaka, 104, who has been struggling with poor coffee prices for decades, pushed him to begin the project about two years ago.
With the support of the Grand Island Economic Development Corporation (GIAEDC) and the Kenyan government, the project is expected to improve the economy of the island and create many jobs.
During the launch, it was announced that 80 bags of coffee from smallholder Kenyan farmers had been shipped to the US and stored at Zabuni Warehouse for the auction.
