Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended the ongoing coffee reforms in the subsector as he dismissed critics who have termed the changes punitive.
According to Gachagua, the interventions instituted by the government are aimed at rescuing the sector from collapsing following sustained low production over the years.
“We have explained what we are doing to many people and they have understood. There is a lot of activity now at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange,” he said.
Speaking when he hosted UK High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan at his Karen residence on Wednesday, the DP extended an invitation to coffee business companies in the UK for open discussions on the reforms.
This, he noted will enable them to understand what changes are all about.
“We would be happy if you could create a forum for us to talk to coffee companies in the UK so we explain to them what we are doing and they can share their ideas. We would be happy to have that engagement,” said the DP.
Gachagua at the same time noted that the government is keen to ensure the success of the Kenya-UK 2020-25 partnership which is crucial in deepening the relations between the two nations.
The partnership focuses on key pillars of Mutual Prosperity, Security and Stability, Sustainable Development, Climate Change as well and people-to-person interaction.
He said the two nations were eager to explore new areas of cooperation under the Partnership on top of strengthening the existing cordial ties.
“Our ties date back to the 19th century when the British came to Kenya. Since then we have partnered in the development of our country in many sectors. This is a friendship and partnership we would like to see grow in strength,” the DP said.
Gachagua said Kenya and the UK had, for years, seen flourishing relations in many sectors including security cooperation, fighting against terrorism in the region, intelligence gathering and in trade among others.
With trade between the countries still in favour of the UK, the Deputy President urged for more markets for Kenyan products, including tea and coffee.
“We want more exports to the United to ensure balanced trade between the two countries,” he added.
