Defence PS Patrick Mariru and Laikipa MP Jane Kagiri inspecting Nanyuki Affordable Housing Programme. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Eager to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Affordable Housing Project sites, several private investors are racing against time to set up major business ventures targeting those who will occupy the new housing units in various towns. Towns like Nanyuki, Makenji, Gichugu and Engineer are among the localities where the investors have bought land next to affordable housing units, targeting to establish businesses once the houses are occupied. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth…
Author: By Boniface Gikandi
The coffee market fetched Sh 447.7 million after the auction of 7,147 bags of coffee at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE). The weekly sale reflected a slight decline compared to last week where the coffee brokers offered 7,135 bags that were bought at Sh Sh 411.8 million. In the NCE report, nine coffee brokers participated, offering 1,731 bags of grade AA that fetched Sh122.1 million and 2,402 bags of grade AB for Sh158.6 million Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp The report further detailed that Kiiriangoro and Kagwanja factories from Murang’a and Thika respectively, fetched the highest price of Sh60,073…
Coffee nets Sh447 million in weekly market Published Date: 2025-11-05 16:07:09 Author: By Boniface Gikandi Source: The Standard
Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya during inauguration of the new KUSCCO board on May 12, 2025. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] The government has appointed a national and county steering committee charged with formulating strategies on revival of coffee focusing on increasing coffee production. In two years, the committee will work towards introducing coffee in the non-traditional areas, and increase the same in the traditional counties. The coffee production stands are 50,000 metric tonnes with the projection to increase the same to 102,000 metric tonnes by year 2028. The 15-man committee was appointed Cooperative Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya through a Kenya Gazette dated October 31, will be…
When Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressed residents of Kiserian. [File, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua returned to the public eye in Kariara, Murang’a, sharply criticising President William Ruto over the state of the tea and coffee sectors. Gachagua’s appearance came after several weeks of absence following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else…
A farmer affiliated to Gachatha Coffee Factory in Nyeri, sorts out berries. [File, Standard] The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) generated Sh 411.8 million after the auction of 7,135 bags of coffee during the weekly market. The market fetched less compared to Sh 565.4 million of last week after the sale of 8,674 bags of coffee. In the auction, 10 coffee brokers participated offering 1,069 bags of grade AA and 1,989 bags of grade AB. In the auction, factories allied to the Alliance Berries Limited and New KPCU achieved the highest price where Nyeri based Kiamariga achieved the highest price Sh…
Macadamia produce on a farm after harvest at Gatitu Village in Nyeri. [File/Standard] Macadamia growers have expressed disappointment over the prevailing low prices following the ban on the export of the unprocessed nuts. The growers plead with the government to allow them to export 30 per cent of unprocessed nuts of the annual production to the Chinese firms. On average, the annual production of macadamia is 61,000 metric tonnes, earning farmers in excess of Sh4.5 billion. According to Macadamia Growers of Kenya’s official Mr Muriithi Gichabi the government should support the farmers to access better prices instead of imposing regulations. …
Agriculture PS Paul Rono launches the FINAS 2025 Summit at Serena Hotel, Nairobi. [David Gichuru, Standard] All loans obtained by tea factories under the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) will be audited in the next 14 days to determine their accuracy and utilisation. Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Kiprono Rono said the comprehensive audit of the loans obtained by 70 factories will be conducted by the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK). He said TBK, the tea industry regulator, will investigate how the loans obtained are utilise and the terms and conditions under which the loans were secured. The PS in a…
Murang’a MCAs, led by Kariara MCA Gichobe Mbatia, walked out of a meeting convened to endorse Prof Kithure Kindiki as the Mt Kenya spokesman. [File, Standard] Political turbulence is brewing in Murang’a, where Members of Parliament are facing growing resistance from Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) as the 2027 political realignments take shape. While the MPs back President William Ruto for a second term, most MCAs are rallying behind former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, sparking open confrontations in public forums. The rebellion, led by elected MCAs across the county’s 35 wards, reflects growing discontent with government performance, even as…
A farmer affiliated to Gachatha Coffee Factory in Nyeri, sorts out berries. [File, Standard] The weekly coffee market earned Sh 565.4 million after the sale of 8,674 bags of coffee sourced from the cooperatives and estate farmers. The market offered fewer bags of coffee compared to last week, which auctioned 10,770 bags, that netted Sh644.6 million. In the broker’s performance, the report outlined that 10 coffee brokers participated, where the New KPCU 2,200 bags earned Sh 141.1 million, Alliance Berries 1,928 bags (Sh 125.4 million), and United Eastern 778 bags (Sh 50.5 million). In the report, factories affiliated to New…
More investors are trooping to Nanyuki to secure plots of land for the construction of rental plots, as the Ministry of Housing plans for the second phase of the affordable housing programme.[Boniface Gikandi/Standard] More investors are trooping to Nanyuki to secure plots of land for the construction of rental plots, as the Ministry of Housing plans for the second phase of the affordable housing programme. In Nanyuki town, the demand for rental houses is on the rise following increased investments and agricultural farming opportunities. With the influx of investors, the price of the land escalated, with an acre fetching above…
From Left: East Africa Tea Trade Association Chairman Abdi Hussein, Agriculture CS Mitahi Kagwe and Tea Executive, Africa Tea Brokers Mombasa, Edward Mwangi during the launch of orthodox tea trade auction in Mombasa, on September 24, 2025. [Omondi Onyango, Standard] Chinese experts are assessing two tea factories earmarked to process the orthodox tea for the Chinese market. The Kenya–China Tea Partnership in Action programme has toured Mungania and Chebango tea factories following an agreement between President William Ruto and Zhang Chaobon the Chairman of Benny Tea Industries in May 2025. Mungania is under Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) management located in Embu…
A farmer affiliated to Gachatha Coffee Factory in Nyeri, sorts out berries. [File, Standard] The coffee market earned Sh644.6 million after the sale of 10,770 bags weighing 671,180 kgs at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) weekly auction. Coffee estates and cooperatives whose produce was marketed by the New KPCU and Alliance Berries Ltd achieved the highest prices. The earnings were a drop compared to last week’s Sh704 million following the sale of 11,179 bags of coffee. NCE reports indicated that the top three were New KPCU, which sold 3,092 bags at Sh194.7 million, Alliance Berries 2,768 bags for Sh162.5 million,…
A farmer affiliated to Gachatha Coffee Factory in Nyeri, sorts out berries. [File, Standard] Coffee trade at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) in 2024/2025 financial year grew to Sh35.6 billion, marking an increase of Sh10.1 billion from the previous year. The volume of sales in the annual coffee year in review, however, dropped by 19,766 bags compared to the 2023/2024 financial year, indicating that the product fetched better prices this year. Analysts attributed the good prices to better offers, especially for grade AA and AB, and a stable or slight increase in the foreign exchange. Follow The Standard channel on…
A section of the economic stimulus programme market under construction. The programme is designed to transform the rural areas. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] More than 49 modern markets under construction across the five counties under the Economic Stimulus Programmes (ESP) in the Mt Kenya region are nearing completion. The project, implemented by the Housing and Urban Planning department, is located near the Affordable Housing Programme units. Murang’a has 21 markets under construction, while Nyeri has 10, where Karatina, Narumoro, and Field Marshal Kirima are 95, 96, and 94 per cent complete. Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga says the markets will offer…
A farmer picks tea on her farm. [File, Standard] Smallholder tea factories last week netted Sh679 million after the sale of 2.60 million kilos (kgs) of tea at the Mombasa tea auction. The factories that achieved the premier prices are Gathuthi, Mununga, Igembe, Ndima, Kiegoi, Githongo, Imenti, Makomboki, Rukuriri and Ngere, at between Sh371 per kg and Sh352 per kilo. Factories from the west of the rift that offered the highest volume are Boito (124,734 kgs), Kobel (104,128 kgs), Oleng (111,969 kgs), and Momul (110,192 kgs). “Igembe tea factory in Meru offered 3,002 kgs and was listed as the least…
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata in China where he led a seven man delegation seeking engagement with Chinese investors on the establishment of industrial park within the 800 acreas within the Delmonte land. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Chinese investors have pledged Sh20 billion to establish the Murang’a Industrial Park after a meeting with Governor Irungu Kang’ata, a significant step for the county’s economic growth. In a series of meetings convened in China, investors expressed interest in the proposed industrial park, aiming to employ more than 10,000 people and comply with all the regulations set. During the investment conference in June, Kang’ata outlined…
Farmers sort out coffee berries. [File, Standard] With the clock ticking towards the December 31 deadline, Kenyan authorities are scrambling to digitally map the country’s coffee farms in compliance with the new European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR) rules. The high-stakes effort aims to demonstrate to the European Union that Kenya’s prized coffee beans exported to its member states are not grown on land designated as forests, a requirement that could determine whether Kenya’s coffee continues being exported to one of its most lucrative export markets or not. Under the regulations, coffee grown on farms affected by deforestation after December 31,…
Farmers sort out coffee berries. [File, Standard] The Nairobi Coffee Auction (NCE) fetched Sh1 billion from the sale of 14,726 bags, up from last week’s Sh847 million. Reports from the NCE indicate that 10 coffee brokers participated in the market, where they delivered 1,112 bags of grade AA and 5,297 bags of AB. The report further detailed that the factories’ coffee was brokered by Alliance Berries Limited, KCCE, Kirinyaga Slopes, and New KPCU, which achieved the best prices. Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp The Utooni factory, affiliated with the New Mitamboni FCS in Machakos, and the Regeju factory achieved the highest prices of Sh69,145 and Sh68,369 for their grade AA, brokered…
Youth and Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi speaking to the media after conducting of a public participation forum. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Gakoigo Stadium in Maragua will be upgraded to a 10,000-seater facility at the cost of Sh700 million, Youth and Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has said. Mr Mwangi said that the state of the facility that served as the Murang’a ASK ground and stadium since the pre-independence era was in bad shape and needed rehabilitation. He Gakoigo has had hosted hundreds of political rallies, community meetings, ASK shows and sporting events yet had remained in poor state. “Vandalism has left it in a dilapidated state, but presently the government is ready to give it a…
Kenol town in Murang’a, near the Kenol–Marua dual carriageway, is attracting investors to the once-sleepy market centre founded by the late William Mbote. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Murang’a town was founded in the early 19th century as an administrative centre for the British administrators led by Francis Hall, who controlled the locality that extended from the Aberdare Ranges to Sagana in Kirinyaga County. The colonial centre was located in a strategic hilly position, overlooking the Gaturi hills and Sagana river on the Eastern side. Presently, Murang’a town is yet to achieve its potential after it was overtaken by Kenol market, which…
Farmers pick tea. KTDA directors will analyse green leaf production and the cost of production. [File, Standard] Small-scale tea farmers would know their annual bonus in two weeks after a meeting of the directors of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) slated for September 22 to 26, 2025. During the meeting, directors will analyse green leaf production and the cost of production, among other concerns highlighted between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The directors are facing challenges explaining to the farmers why the annual bonus payment will be less compared to that of Sh89.2 billion in 2024. Follow The Standard channel…
A farmer picks tea. [File, Standard] The volume of tea traded at the Mombasa Tea Auction dropped by 32.5 million kilos between January and June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) Managing Director George Omuga said that in 2025, the auction received less volume of tea compared to what it received in 2024. “Although the volumes have reduced, I hope the situation will improve and invite more buyers into the market,” said Omuga. Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp According to an August report by Tea Brokers East African Limited (TBEAL), the seven…
Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki. [File, Standard] Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki has criticized the opposition for allegedly misleading the youth by discrediting the available employment opportunities. He warned elderly politicians for continued misleading the youth who have acquired technical skills from the technical institutes. Speaking at Murang’a Techical and Training Institute in Maragua, he said the government backed that include the Affordable Housing Programme and construction of markets have continued engaged more than 350,000 across the country. “The number of the youths engaged in construction in two years will be upscaled to a million, with Murang’a expected to register…
Farmers sort out coffee berries. [File, Standard] The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) netted Sh638.8 million after the sale of 9,886 bags of coffee, as the stakeholders celebrated the high prices. The report from the NCE indicated that coffee sourced from the cooperatives and estates brokered by Alliance Berries Limited, CEBBA, and New KPCU fetched high prices in the weekly markets. The market, however, fetched slightly less than the previous Sh649.4 million after the sale of 10,850 bags of coffee. Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp According to the report, cooperatives that achieved the highest prices in the market were Kiangua Farmers…
Farmers sort out coffee berries. [File, Standard] The weekly coffee auction fetched Sh649.4 million after the sale of 10,850 bags of coffee at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE), the amount is higher than Sh529.2 million of the previous week. In the market, Kiganjo and Kanyariri coffee factories in Kiambu and Nyeri counties, respectively, coffee brokered by the Alliance Berries Limited achieved the highest price for each of the Sh56,075.92 for each of 24 bags of bags of grade AA. The average price for a bag of coffee at the market was Sh47,835. The NCE report indicates that nine coffee brokers participated in the auction,…
President William Ruto during the launch of the 220-unit Makenji Affordable Housing project in Kandara, Murang’a County. [File, Standard] The construction of Makuyu affordable houses in Muranga County has not only re-awakened the town, but has also caused a surge in land prices. The once feared town is now abuzz with construction activities that have had positive ripple effect on other sectors. In the 1990’s, Makuyu town was feared as it was the base of the infamous Makuyu Flying Squad, that was charged with fighting armed criminals across the country. However, the commencement of construction of the 764 units in…
Workers use tea harvesting machine on a farm in Kericho. [File, Standard] Small-scale tea holder factories earned Sh882.4 million from the sale of 3,543,878kg at the Mombasa Tea Auction. The payment to the 70 factories reflected a rise compared to the previous week, where the tea sellers only earned Sh772.7 million. A report from the Tea Brokers East Africa Limited (TBEAL) shows that Mununga made Sh26.4 million after selling 69,968kgs, Gathuthi earned Sh10.5 million through a sale of 32,160kgs, Kiegoi pocketed Sh14.8 million after selling 46,730kgs, while Rukuriri and Gacharage made Sh18.2 million and Sh7 million respectively after selling 57,968kgs…
A section of Gichugu Affordable Housing Programme in Kianyaga market in Kirinyaga county. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Close to 110 units in the Gichugu Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) in Kirinyaga County have been completed. However, the houses remain unoccupied due to lack of electricity connection. Aside from changing the image of the once sleepy Kianyaga market, the multi-million project created job opportunities, resulted in a rise in land prices and also caused establishment of more investments that are interlinked to the occupancy of the houses. John Kuira, a resident of Gichugu, said the demand for land in the locality has escalated…
Ngere tea factory in Murang’a performing better at the Mombasa Tea Auction. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] The 70 small-scale tea holder factories last week netted Sh772.7 million at the Mombasa tea auction, following the sale of 3,219,852kgs. The payment reflected less compared to the previous week of Sh821.7 million after the auction of 3,496,847kgs. Report from the Tea Brokers East Africa Limited (TEABL) in the auction that attracted 51 buyers, the trading facility handled 6.7 million kgs, Kenya presented 5.2kgs from KTDA and independent producers, Uganda 886,892kgs, Rwanda 508,497, and Burundi 83,360kgs. In the previous week, the Mombasa Tea Auction offered 7.2…
Nanyuki Hotel is one of the major hotels along the Nanyuki-Nyeri highway that attracts guests heading to the counties of Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] The hospitality industry has continued to grow with dozens of new tourist hotels being built along the Mt Kenya circuit, replacing the facilities that were built decades ago. The expected dualing of the carriage highway – from Marua, Narumoru, Nanyuki, and Isiolo has seen the price of land skyrocket for areas near the highway. They are now trading at between Sh8 million and Sh10 million per acre. The existing hotels display Kenya’s cultural…
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua inspects some coffee bean varieties during the re-opening of the Nairobi Coffee Exchange Auction brokers’ maiden sale at Wakulima House, on August 15, 2023. [File, Standard] Kenya’s coffee market netted Sh553.1 million after the sale of 10,494 bags of coffee to 12 buyers at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE). The weekly market fetched better returns compared to last week’s Sh190.5 million. The NCE report detailed that in the weekly market farmers from cooperatives and estates offered 1,210 bags of AA that fetched Sh70.6 million and 4,253 bags of AB Sh232.3 million. Follow The Standard channel…
Coffee farmers sort out berries at a factory. [File, Standard] The coffee proceeds from the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) have continued to decline to Sh316.1 million after the sale of 5,818 bags. The payment to the farmers in cooperatives and estates in the weekly auction is lower compared to last week’s Sh376 million, where 7,887 bags were offered. In the NCE reports, eight coffee brokers led by Meru Cooperative Union and Alliance Berries Limited presented at the auction 2,124 bags and 1,546 bags of coffee to the 17 local and international buyers. Follow the The Standard channel on WhatsApp The…
President William Ruto and other leaders during the inspection of Ol Kalou affordable Housing Project at Ol Kalou town in Nyandarua County on January 11, 2024. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] The construction of affordable housing units in Ol Kalao town has excited the investors following the expected influx of more than 1,500 persons to the area. The Sh1.2 billion programme has engaged more than 500 employees from the locality daily, and is designed to impact the economy of the once sleepy town, through trading and supply opportunities. Presently, the majority of the public servants working in the town reside in Nyahururu,…
Published Date: 2025-07-09 14:36:40 Author: By Boniface Gikandi Source: The Standard
Farmers sort out coffee berries. [File, Standard] The coffee auction resumed on a low note after two months recess, with the estate and cooperative farmers earning Sh376 million after the auction of 7,887 bags at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE). NCE report reflects the sale generated less compared to Sh377.64 million from the sale of 6,650 bags on May 6 when the auction closed for recess. In the dealers category, the NCE CEO Lisper Ndung’u reported that 20 participated, led by Louis Dreyfus that bought 2,315 bags at Sh108 million, Ibero Kenya 1,726 bags for Sh79.2 million, Sasini 1,083 bags…
Tea farmers collect fertilizers distributed by Kenya Tea Development Authority(KTDA) at Nyambaria Tea Buying Center in Nyamira County. (Sammy Omingo, Standard) Tea exports declined by almost five million kilos in April from 37.9 million recorded in March due to wars in some of Kenya’s main export markets. In April, the country exported 33.91 million kilos against the production of 51.78 million kilos by the growers across the country. According to the Tea Board of Kenya, in April, tea was exported to 54 countries, with Pakistan buying 17,057,496 kilos. This is lower compared to the 21,641,140 kilos it bought in April last…
Farmers deliver tea leaves at to a lorry at Nyambaria tea buying center in Nyamira County, on April 15, 2025. [Sammy Omingo, Standard] Tea factories registered a slight increment in sales, earning Sh904.1 million, up from Sh902 million during this week’s tea auction in Mombasa. This follows the sale of 3.72 million kilos (kgs) of tea. A report by Tea Brokers East Africa Ltd shows that the factories that sold at the best prices include Githongo, which fetched Sh17 million, followed by Mununga Sh28.1 million, Imenti Sh14.6 million, Rukuriri Sh25.6 million and Gathuthi Sh23.5 million. Others are Kangathariri at Sh16.9 million,…
Published Date: 2025-07-03 18:53:49 Author: By Boniface Gikandi Source: The Standard
Tea farmers collect fertilizers distributed by Kenya Tea Development Authority(KTDA) at Nyambaria Tea Buying Center in Nyamira County. (Sammy Omingo, Standard) More than 102.92 million kilogrammes (kgs) of tea have been sold to 58 global markets between January and March this year through the Mombasa Tea Auction. Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) latest report said KTDA factories, independent producers and estates produced 37.9 million kgs, compared to 54.3 million in the previous year. The KTDA smallholder factories managed 20.4 million kgs and Nyayo Tea Zones 321,754 kgs. TBK Chief Executive Willy Mutai said the 10 best markets accounted for 78.9 per…
Tea farmers deliver their teal leaves to a lorry at Nyambaria tea buying center in Nyamira County. (Sammy Omingo, Standard) Tea factories affiliated with KTDA sold 5,418,918 kilogrammes last week, earning Sh1,137,972,780 at the Mombasa Tea Auction. The auction, held on 19th and 20th May, saw the following earnings from various tea factories: Mununga earned Sh26,747,490, Kimunye Sh19,767,600, Kathangariri Sh10,384,416, Kiegoi Sh21,260,800, Gathuthi Sh9,849,216, and Rukuriri Sh22,572,870. Gacharage factories earned Sh26,498,304 from the auction of 94,976 kg, followed by Ngere Tea Factory, which sold 77,495 kg for Sh21,388,620. Momul Factory, located in the western Rift, led with 129,540 kg sold…
Alice Waheto goes a bout her business at Iriaini Tea Factory in Othaya, Nyeri County on September 6,2016. Billions of shillings will be paid out to smallholder tea farmers as bonuses this year,while some have protested against poor payment of their produce and boycotted tea picking. [Kibatia Kihu/Standard] Rainforest Alliance audits and certifications have been suspended in all tea factories. Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Kipronoh Rono, in a circular dated May 12, ordered the suspension of the multi-million programme after it emerged that the burden of implementation was bestowed on the smallholder tea factories. The review was aimed at easing the doing business in the tea…
French envoy to Kenya Arnaud Suquet, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi at Nduti tea factory in Kandara, Murang’a, May 6, 2025. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Key stakeholders have shown interest in Kenya’s tea, with focus on utilisation of the Geographical Indications (GI), which will facilitate branding of the produce from Murang’a. The GI initiative, backed by the French embassy, Equity Bank and Murang’a county government will assist in branding Kenyan tea to attract premium prices. The delegation led by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, French envoy to Kenya Arnaud Suquet, and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi toured…
Nairobi Coffee Exchange Chairman Kenneth Gitonga and Chief Executive Officer Lisper Ndung’u sample some coffee beans ahead of the weekly auction. [File, Standard] Farmers have earned Sh27,616,908,102 after the auction of 535,941 bags of coffee in the last five months. According to the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) during the auction period between October 2024 to April 2025, coffee weighing 32,156,472 kgs was bought by the local and international dealers. In the market, 15 coffee brokers participated with Alliance Berries Limited, Kirinyaga Slopes, KCCEand New KPCU leading the pack. The Alliance Berries, according to the report dated April 29, auctioned 206,146…
Cooperative Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi during the launch of Unaitas Sacco fruit trees planting at Ikumbi Primary School in Kigumo, Murang’a, on May 2, 2025. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Cooperative Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi has lauded Unaitas Sacco’s growth, which has seen it register 493,000 members. Speaking at Ikumbi Primary School in Kigumo, Murang’a County, when he launched the fruit trees planting drive, Kilemi said Unaitas Sacco was setting an example for other saccos. “I urge other saccos to visit Unaitas for benchmarking as it started with 4,000 members 32 years ago, and the membership has risen to 493,000,” said Kilemi.…
Nyeri nominated MCA Agnes Wanjiru speaking to the press a day after she lost a million shillings in a Murang’a town street after gang broke into her vehicle. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] Residents of Murang’a have raised concerns over a gang that has been breaking into vehicles and stealing items. On Monday evening, Nyeri MCA Agnes Wanjiru was shocked after she found Sh1 million she had left in her vehicle was missing and a window broken. She said she visited Murang’a town in the company of her sister and withdrew Sh990,000 from the bank and kept it in her parked vehicle…
Peter Wambugu (left) and Kangema MP Peter Kihungi( right) Planting an apple seedling at Kiawambogo primary school in Rwathia. [Boniface Gikandi] Apple farming is taking root in Kangema, Murang’a County, with learning institutions being the experimental grounds. Kangema MP Peter Kihungi, who is behind the project, says the introduction of the fruit along the slopes of the Aberdare Range is a step towards a greener, more food-secure, and economically empowered society. Under the project, hundreds of apple seedlings have been distributed to primary schools within the constituency, where pupils are trained on how to nurture the fruit trees sourced from…
Murang’a County Assembly. [File, Standard] The Murang’a County Assembly leadership has been challenged to facilitate MCAs with internet-enabled devices to facilitate oversight. In a report of the ICT committee, the MCAs seek the adoption of technology to make the assembly paperless. The assembly also passed the proposal to have the revenue collectors be provided with internet-enabled gadgets to facilitate revenue collection. The report by the ICT committee Chairman, Moses Mirara, outlined that automation has helped to end the manipulation of public resources and safeguarded public land. In land management, the system provides a platform for automated generation and secure development…
A coffee farmer sorts out coffee berries at a coffee factory in Mathira, Nyeri County. [File, Standard] Coffee auction fetched Sh521,545,821 after the sale of 10,190 bags of coffee. The auction registered a decrease compared to last week’s sale of Sh684 million following the sale of 14,486 bags. The factories that achieved the highest prices for grade AA are Nyeri based Kamoni factory 61,113, Ichamara Sh60,594, Kiambara Sh59,297 marketed by the KCCE and Alliance Berries Limited. The reports from Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) indicate volumes at the auction have reduced as only 2,573 bags of quality coffee have been delivered…
A worker picks tea on a farm. [File, Standard] Small-scale tea holder factories fetched Sh1 billion after the sale of 4,403,251kg. In the market analysis, the Mununga tea factory sold 108,200kg, fetched Sh38.5 million, and Rukuriri tea factory 94,722kg for Sh29,174,376 at the rate of Sh356 and Sh308 per kilogramme, respectively. In the Tea Brokers East Africa Limited (TBEAL) report, Ngere factory sold 122,260kg and the highest which earned the growers Sh36,188,960. In the west of the rift, the Kobel tea factory was ranked the least after it sold 5,992kg for Sh838,880, while Momul tea factory led after the auction…
A coffee farmer sorts out coffee berries at a coffee factory in Mathira, Nyeri County. [File, Standard] Coffee farmers are up in arms over plans by the government to introduce a new coffee payment model. The growers say the change sponsored by the government is designed to sabotage the cooperative movement. Majority of the farmers say the decision by President William Ruto that they be paid from the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) five days after the weekly sale is ill-advised. Kabare farmers cooperative society Chairman Cyrus Njogu said the decision, if implemented, will sabotage the coffee sector, as majority of…
Nanyuki Affordable Housing project is expected to meet the housing demand in the region, on March 22, 2025. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] The majority of the affordable housing projects initiated by the government across the Mt Kenya region are nearing completion. Despite criticism over the implementation of the multi-million-shilling housing programmes, reports indicate the units are overbooked. These are some of the projects that President William Ruto on a tour of Mt Kenya region, will inspect. The projects that have impressed the public are in Nanyuki, Gichugu and Makeji, with hundreds of people having booked them through the Boma Yangu portal. In…