Ledama Olekina calls for reforms and free market for coffee farmers
By Kiprono Keileb, January 4, 2026Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has called for urgent reforms in Kenya’s coffee sector, saying farmers continue to suffer under outdated laws that benefit cartels and intermediaries at their expense.
He insists the current Coffee Act (CAP 333) restricts farmers’ ability to sell their beans freely and earn fair prices.
In a statement shared on X on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Olekinna highlighted how restrictive laws and bureaucratic boards have stifled growth and limited access to global markets.
He said the Coffee Act is a colonial shackle that harms farmers while enabling corrupt systems.
“Kenya’s coffee farmers are suffocating under the despotic Coffee Act (CAP 333), a rotten colonial shackle fueling corrupt cartels and Riggy G’s nonstop microphone diarrhoea!” Ledama Olekina said.
The senator urged the government to examine successful models abroad, citing Japan’s tea farmers who sell directly to global buyers, thereby bypassing auctions that often drive down prices.
“Torch it now and liberalise as Japan does with tea: farmers there sell sencha and matcha directly to global buyers via free-market exports, dodging auctions that crush prices, raking in billions by letting supply and demand rule without nanny-state meddling,” Olekina said.
He warned that bureaucratic boards and levies only hold back Mt Kenya coffee growers from maximising their profits.
“No bureaucratic boards, no levies, just pure freedom for Mt Kenya growers to hawk beans to whoever pays top dollar, smashing neo-colonial chains forever.” Ledama Olekinna
Olekinna also urged decisive leadership, referencing past government interventions in other sectors as examples of bold reforms that benefited the public.
“Riggy G, your bluster ends here, just like Ruto silenced Mau Forest crybabies and unlocked real progress.” Ledama Olekinna
He concluded by calling for immediate action to free coffee farmers from restrictive laws, warning that failure to act risks the future of Kenya’s coffee industry.
“Liberate coffee sector or perish!” Olekina concluded.