President William Ruto has made a key appointment, naming Njeru Peter Ndwiga as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Coffee Board of Kenya, effective October 30, 2026, for a three-year term. This decision, outlined in Gazette Notice No. 16957 under Section 7(1)(a) of the Coffee Act, 2026, also nullifies the previous appointment of Henry Gihuhi Kinyua, which was announced in Gazette Notice No. 14143 on September 4, 2026.
Ndwiga, who has served as a Cabinet minister and Embu Senator, possesses a wealth of experience in public service and the coffee industry. Notably, during his time in the Senate, he was a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. Additionally, Ndwiga has been instrumental in reforms designed to enhance farmers’ earnings and bolster cooperative coffee marketing.
In a related development, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has appointed Kinyua to lead the Council of the Coffee Research and Training Institute of Kenya as Non-Executive Chairperson for a three-year period, commencing October 30. Kinyua, with his background as Nyeri County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and his leadership role at the Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (KPCU), brings expertise in agricultural policy, value chain development, and international development programs.
These leadership changes coincide with the establishment of two key institutions under the Coffee Act, 2026. The Coffee Board of Kenya is tasked with regulating, marketing, and promoting Kenyan coffee, while the Coffee Research and Training Institute, guided by a Council, will focus on research, breeding, planting materials, and farmer training.
As Kenya strives to develop and distribute improved coffee varieties to boost production, enhance farm productivity, and aid growers in adapting to climate change, these appointments are timely. Kinyua previously noted that researchers had developed improved varieties, but their release to farmers was hindered by insufficient funding.
Kinyua stressed that increased investment would expedite research into varieties capable of withstanding rising temperatures and other climate-related challenges. He also pointed out that the Coffee Act, 2026, allocates funds for research and training, and establishing the institute as a standalone agency could facilitate resource mobilization.
Kenya aims to achieve annual coffee production of 150,000 metric tonnes, although the projected output for the 2025/2026 season is 60,000 tonnes. According to Kinyua, production could be increased through improved productivity on existing farms and the expansion of coffee cultivation into suitable growing areas.
