Fresh coffee from farm ready for export. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has licensed 152 coffee dealers for the 2025/26 season under Kenya’s Coffee Regulations, reaffirming its mandate to regulate and streamline the country’s lucrative coffee sector.
In a statement released on Tuesday, AFA Director General Bruno Linyuru said the licensed dealers include 126 coffee buyers, 15 warehousemen, and 11 agents who will be permitted to operate legally during the current financial year.
“The licensed dealers, whose names have been published in the Kenya Gazette, are the only recognized exporters and intermediaries in the country,” Linyuru clarified, dispelling confusion that emerged after a separate gazette notice suggested the issuance of exclusive licenses to 10 additional companies.
Clarification on exclusive licensing claims
Linyuru emphasized that the publication of dealers in a gazette notice does not mean they hold exclusive rights to export or process coffee, but is instead a statutory requirement in the licensing process.
“AFA wishes to inform the public that registration of coffee dealers is an ongoing process within the confines of the law. During this registration, dealers must be gazetted through a Kenya Gazette Notice, which allows for a 14-day window for the public to raise any objections,” the statement noted.
The Director General stressed that under the Crops Act, 2013, and the Coffee Regulations of 2019, any individual or entity intending to export coffee must be both licensed and gazetted before engaging in trade.
Crackdown on illegal exporters
Alongside the announcement, AFA issued a stern warning to individuals and entities engaging in unauthorized coffee exports, noting that legal action will be taken against offenders.
“Any person found exporting coffee without the requisite license and gazettement is operating outside the law and will face prosecution,” Linyuru warned.
The caution comes amid reports of rising cases of rogue dealers bypassing regulations, potentially undermining Kenya’s efforts to improve transparency and farmer earnings in the coffee value chain.
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10 new firms under review
The authority also confirmed that 10 additional companies have been proposed for licensing to enhance Kenya’s direct coffee exports. If approved, seven will be cleared to import, roast, and package coffee for the international market, while three will specialize in facilitating direct green coffee sales abroad.
According to AFA, the split in licensing aims to encourage specialization and efficiency within the export market, giving farmers more options to connect with international buyers.
In its gazette notice dated August 22, AFA invited public feedback on the proposed licenses, with objections to be submitted within 14 days.
Coffee reforms and farmer benefits
Kenya’s coffee sector, once a leading foreign exchange earner, has been undergoing regulatory reforms aimed at curbing cartels and ensuring farmers benefit more directly from their produce.
Analysts argue that transparent licensing and stringent oversight are key to restoring Kenya’s global coffee reputation, which has faced challenges from mismanagement, fluctuating global prices, and the dominance of middlemen.
Farmer cooperatives have welcomed the latest move by AFA, noting that tighter control of dealers could reduce exploitation and ensure that farmers receive fairer compensation for their beans.
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Outlook
With 152 dealers now licensed for the 2025/26 season, AFA says it remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of Kenya’s coffee industry while balancing regulation with opportunities for growth.
“The reforms we are implementing are about building a sustainable and competitive coffee sector that works for farmers and enhances Kenya’s position in the global market,” Linyuru said.
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