Patmoz
By Victoria Movine
In a significant move to (UNIDO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Thursday hosted the ‘Journey to Inclusive and Sustainable Coffee in Kenya’ event at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.
The high-level half-day forum brought together over 100 key players from across the coffee value chain, including farmers, cooperatives, exporters, government leaders, and youth and women-led enterprises. The event aimed to showcase innovative strategies and inclusive models that can transform Kenya’s coffee industry into a sustainable, competitive, and equitable sector.
Chief guests included Wycliffe Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSMEs Development who was represented by David Obonyo, Commissioner Co-operatives—Ministry of Co-operatives and MSME Development.He was joined by development experts Esther Atieno and Lucy Njine in delivering keynote addresses that underscored the importance of tackling systemic challenges like high input costs, regulatory bottlenecks, and limited access to market information.
“Kenya’s coffee industry, despite years of decline, has the potential to be a global model of sustainability and innovation,” said David Obonyo. “This forum marks a turning point in embracing climate-smart practices, empowering youth and women, and driving inclusive value addition.”
The event featured a dynamic walk-through of the coffee value chain, interactive exhibitions showcasing local innovators transforming coffee “from farm to cup,” and a formal launch of a new publication highlighting insights from a comprehensive UN-led value chain analysis.
Moderated by Maureen Onyango, CEO of Mo Solutions, and Jote Teodor Cika, the forum fostered vibrant networking and dialogue on scalable interventions.
Speaking at the event, UNIDO representatives emphasized the sector’s potential to address rural unemployment, drive gender equity, and catalyze economic growth through public-private collaboration.
The event is part of a broader Joint Programme between UNIDO and FAO to advance inclusive and sustainable development within Kenya’s coffee sector, particularly in supporting smallholder farmers and marginalized groups.
Shadrack Nyakoe
