Ruto signs Coffee Act, 2023, shifting key industry roles to Coffee Board of Kenya

President William Ruto has signed the Coffee Act, 2023 into law, marking a major reform in the governance and regulation of the country’s coffee sector.

The new legislation reorganises the industry by transferring key regulatory and commercial responsibilities from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to the Coffee Board of Kenya. The move is aimed at strengthening oversight of the sector and enhancing the development and marketing of Kenyan coffee.

The law was among three Bills assented to by the President at State House, Nairobi. The others include the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies (Amendment) Act, 2026 and the Meteorology Act, 2023.

Under the Coffee Act, the Coffee Board of Kenya will now take on expanded responsibilities, including processing permit and licence applications, registering coffee dealers and overseeing the implementation of policies and funding models for the industry.

The board will also be tasked with collecting and maintaining industry data, conducting market intelligence and surveys, and promoting Kenyan coffee both locally and internationally. In addition, it will support the application of the Kenya Coffee Mark of Origin to strengthen the global identity of the country’s coffee.

To ensure quality and standardisation across the sector, the board will collaborate with the Kenya Bureau of Standards to develop industry standards and codes of practice.

The Act further mandates the board to promote regional coffee appellations, coordinate Kenya’s representation in international coffee forums, and support digital marketing initiatives aimed at expanding markets for Kenyan coffee. It will also facilitate technology transfer to county governments and build capacity among farmers and other industry players.

As part of the reforms, the law establishes a new Coffee Research and Training Institute to take over research functions previously handled by the Coffee Research Institute. The institute will focus on advancing research, improving coffee varieties and promoting sustainable production systems.

The institute will also coordinate research on coffee diseases and support the adoption of improved production technologies across the sector to enhance productivity and resilience.

The reforms are expected to streamline the management of Kenya’s coffee industry, strengthen institutional oversight and improve the competitiveness of Kenyan coffee in global markets.

Kenya’s coffee sector remains a key agricultural export industry, supporting thousands of farmers and contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings. The new legal framework is expected to play a central role in revitalising the sector and addressing long-standing structural challenges.