Kindiki Cites Lower Farm Costs, Higher Coffee Prices in Push to Improve Farmers’ Incomes

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has highlighted higher coffee prices and reduced agricultural input costs as key measures the government says are improving farmers’ incomes, while outlining ongoing development projects in Gatundu North and other parts of Kiambu County.

Speaking at Gachege Centre in Gatundu North Constituency on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Kindiki said coffee cherry prices had risen from KSh60 to KSh150 per kilogramme over the past four years, while milk prices had increased from KSh35 to KSh50 per litre.

He announced that milk prices would rise further to KSh65 per litre effective next month, as the government seeks to strengthen earnings in the dairy value chain.

Kindiki also cited reductions in farm input costs, saying the price of a 50-kilogramme bag of fertiliser had dropped from KSh7,000 to KSh2,000, while maize seed prices had fallen by 50 per cent, from KSh300 to KSh150 per kilogramme.

He added that sexed semen used in artificial insemination for dairy production was available at KSh1,400 per dose, down from a previous high of KSh8,000.

The measures form part of the government’s efforts to support coffee, tea and dairy farmers by improving farm-gate earnings and reducing the cost of production. Their long-term impact will depend on whether farmers can sustain higher returns amid other production expenses and changing market conditions.

Beyond agriculture, Kindiki outlined infrastructure projects intended to improve market access, electricity connectivity, education facilities and transport in the county.

He said Kamwangi, Kanyoni and Gatukuyu fresh produce markets were nearing completion, with investments of KSh380 million, KSh65 million and KSh56 million, respectively. The markets are expected to provide trading spaces for farmers and traders while supporting the movement of agricultural produce to consumers.

The Deputy President further announced that construction of a 620-bed student hostel at Mang’u Technical and Vocational College was set to begin at a cost of KSh320 million.

On electricity access, he said KSh65 million was being spent to connect an additional 772 households under the last-mile electricity supply programme.

Kindiki also reported progress on road construction in Kiambu County, saying 368 kilometres had been completed out of the 1,285 kilometres prioritised for tarmacking under a programme valued at KSh152 billion. He put the cost of the completed sections at KSh20 billion.

The roads include the 67-kilometre Thika–Kamwangi–Kanyoni–Gakoe–Magumu route, which connects Kiambu and Nyandarua counties, and the Kahata–Gachege–Kanjuku Mau Mau road.

Kindiki was accompanied by Gatundu North MP Njoroge Kururia, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, 14 MCAs, professionals and local leaders during the visit to inspect national government development projects.

The visit provided the Deputy President with an opportunity to highlight the administration’s agricultural and infrastructure record in a region that remains politically significant ahead of the 2027 General Election. The challenge for the government will be to translate the reported progress into sustained improvements in farmers’ incomes, public services and local economic opportunities.