Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, has issued an order for armed police officers to be deployed to all coffee factories nationwide.
A statement from the Office of the Deputy President, released on Tuesday, outlines that the National Police Service (NPS), under the leadership of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, will be responsible for implementing this directive.
These officers will ensure round-the-clock security for the factories.
The directive's central aim is to effectively combat and minimize theft incidents that have been plaguing these factories.
DP Gachagua emphasized that the long-standing practice of hiring private security personnel had proven ineffective, as the factories continue to suffer losses due to theft hence the need for change of tact.
However, the precise allocation of officers to each factory has not been publicly disclosed.
Gachagua explained that the police directive was part of the reforms the government is keen on undertaking to revive the sector that has been underperforming for years.
The Deputy President, who is currently waging a war against cartels in the sector, claimed that there has been attempts by unscrupulous traders to scuttle the reforms aimed at giving farmers value for their money.
The DP cited instances where some unnamed coffee marketers refused to buy coffee from Kenyan farms to arm-twist the government to heed their demands.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the reforms in the coffee subsector are unstoppable. We are undertaking legal reforms towards making sure that farmers benefit at every stage.
"Let nobody blackmail the government or hold farmers hostage. We are going to organize that it is available and at the right price,” he stated.
The DP asserted that the government is willing to set aside money to pay the farmers directly for their produce even as they seek international markets for the once dominant crop.
