Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has raised concerns over the ownership and management of the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE), demanding full transparency regarding the individuals controlling the institution. The NCE handles billions of shillings in coffee trade, and Wamuchomba argues that it should not operate under murky corporate structures that leave coffee farmers in the dark about how their produce and revenues are managed.
Wamuchomba questioned the continued presence of private interests in the exchange, insisting that smallholder coffee farmers, who generate the wealth, deserve a direct ownership stake and seat at the management table. She specifically called for an audit into the individuals listed behind the company, singling out Josephine Njoki and Benson Odhiambo, who are documented as directors and members.
The lawmaker noted that despite assurances from the Ministry of Agriculture in June 2023 to address governance and ownership anomalies at the exchange, little progress has been made to reform the entity. Wamuchomba's demand remains straightforward: the Nairobi Coffee Exchange must ultimately be owned and controlled by the coffee farmers themselves.
With billions of shillings passing through the auction annually, the debate reopens critical questions over governance, accountability, and whether farmers are getting value from the central pillar of Kenya's coffee market. The NCE is a key institution in Kenya's coffee industry, and its management has significant implications for the livelihoods of thousands of coffee farmers.
Wamuchomba's concerns are shared by many coffee farmers who feel that they are not getting a fair share of the revenue generated from their produce. The MP's call for transparency and accountability in the management of the NCE has sparked a renewed debate about the need for reforms in the coffee sector.
The Standard Group Plc, a leading multi-media house in Kenya, has been following the developments at the NCE closely. As a trusted source of news and information, The Standard Group Plc will continue to provide updates on this story as more information becomes available.
The issue of ownership and management of the NCE is likely to continue to be a contentious issue in the coming weeks and months. Key stakeholders, including coffee farmers, policymakers, and industry experts, will need to engage in a constructive dialogue to find a solution that benefits all parties involved.
Key points
- Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba demands transparency in Nairobi Coffee Exchange ownership.
- Wamuchomba calls for an audit into the individuals listed behind the company.
- The Nairobi Coffee Exchange must ultimately be owned and controlled by the coffee farmers themselves.
