Bungoma and Kakamega Counties present contrasting profiles in Kenya’s coffee production landscape, with Bungoma emerging as a dominant force and Kakamega showing signs of steady growth.
Bungoma County boasts a well-developed coffee infrastructure supported by 44 registered cooperatives. This robust network has played a critical role in enabling the county to achieve significant production and sales milestones. During the 2023/2024 season, Bungoma sold 1,736,759 kilograms of coffee, generating KSh 936.9 million in revenue. The 2024/2025 season continues to reflect strong market performance, with already 875,752 kilograms sold, earning KSh 721.2 million. These figures illustrate the presence of structured farming systems, efficient cooperative management, and access to viable markets such as the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE).
In contrast, Kakamega County has a smaller coffee production base, with just 14 registered cooperatives. In the 2023/2024 season, the county managed to sell only 6,659 kilograms of coffee, translating to $26,940 in revenue. However, the ongoing 2024/2025 season signals a notable improvement. Coffee sales have increased to 10,230 kilograms, with revenues rising to $68,393 (approximately KSh 8.8 million). While Kakamega’s production remains modest, the upward trajectory in both volume and earnings highlights its potential to grow as a coffee-producing region.
The disparity between the two counties underscores the importance of cooperative infrastructure, farmer support systems, and access to markets in driving coffee production success. Bungoma’s performance can be attributed to years of investment in these areas, resulting in a mature coffee economy. Meanwhile, Kakamega is still laying its foundation, with encouraging signs of expansion.
Looking ahead, Kakamega’s growing interest in coffee farming could unlock significant opportunities, especially if supported with training, extension services, and enhanced cooperative development. Bungoma, on the other hand, is well-positioned to consolidate its status as a regional coffee leader by maintaining quality standards and tapping into premium markets.
The comparison reflects the diverse stages of coffee sector development in Western Kenya, offering insights into how counties can build capacity and boost competitiveness in the global coffee market.
