Grapevine

Audit underway for Sh2b coffee debt write-off, says Oparanya

Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya. [File, Standard]

The government has committed to waive Sh2 billion debt in the coffee sector and prioritise the crop as key in growing foreign exchange reserves.

The Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development will aggressively market coffee locally and internationally this financial year. Detailing some of the progress the ministry has made since coming into office of President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya noted that as of June 30 this year, production stood at 8,870 tonnes. This is compared to 875 tonnes in the same period in 2022.

“This is because of the reforms that have been undertaken under the leadership of this ministry,” said the CS. Kenya has an ambitious production target of 51,000 tonnes.

The CS was speaking during a performance contracting meeting held with the Deputy Chief of Staff Deputy Chief of Staff, Performance and Delivery Management in the Office of the President Eliud Owalo.