Ruto unveils coffee reforms, promises faster farmer payments

Coffee farmers will now be paid within five days of delivering their produce to the market after President William Ruto announced a series of measures aimed at reviving the sector. Speaking in Kirinyaga County while unveiling a national coffee revival programme, the President also said the government will pay an additional Sh2 billion to coffee farmers as part of settling over Sh6 billion in verified debts owed to them. He further criticized Members of Parliament who voted against the Finance Bill 2026, accusing them of blocking development from reaching their constituents.