Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has announced the distribution of more than 83,000 coffee seedlings to farmers in a fresh push to expand coffee production and boost household incomes across the county.

Speaking at the Kapseret Subcounty Office, Bii said 83,145 seedlings were distributed to farmers from Megun, Ngeria, Kapseret/Simat, Kipkenyo and Langas wards.

The latest distribution brings the number of seedlings delivered during the current phase to one million, while the total number distributed to farmers by the county over the past four years has reached 2.6 million, according to the governor.

Bii said the county was deliberately investing in coffee farming as part of efforts to diversify farmers’ incomes and strengthen the agricultural economy.

Beyond expanding production, the county government is also betting on local processing to ensure farmers benefit from greater value addition.

The governor highlighted the construction of the Cheramei Coffee Milling Plant, describing it as a major investment that will transform the county’s coffee value chain.

The facility is expected to increase local processing capacity, improve value addition and create opportunities for farmers to earn more from their produce rather than relying solely on the sale of raw coffee.

Bii said the investments form part of his administration’s broader wealth-creation agenda aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents.

The governor’s announcement comes amid growing efforts by county governments across Kenya to support agricultural production through improved farm inputs, processing infrastructure and market access.

With millions of coffee seedlings already distributed, Uasin Gishu is positioning coffee as one of the crops that could play a bigger role in the county’s agricultural economy and contribute to increased incomes for smallholder farmers.