By Henry Kinyua
Today we celebrate another remarkable farmers’ cooperative in Kenya’s fertile Mt. Kenya Region, specifically in Murang’a County. The Iyego Coffee Cooperative Society, located in Kangema Constituency, stands as a testament to agricultural resilience and community enterprise.
The cooperative’s operational footprint encompasses the vibrant localities of Iyego, Muguru, Muringa-ini, and Gacharaigu. Established in May 1959, the society emerged after strategically separating from the larger Weithaga Coffee Growers Society Limited. Its humble beginnings centered around a single processing facility—Boyo, which now serves as the prestigious Iyego Main Factory.
Initially founded with just 182 members, the cooperative has experienced exponential growth, now boasting over 10,000 registered farmers, though approximately 70% maintain active participation.
The society’s infrastructure has expanded to include 12 factories: Iyego Main, Mununga, Gatubu, Marimira, Kabiruini, Watuha, Gathima, Gitura, Kiarathe, Thangathi, Nyakahura, and Kirangano.
In the last decade, due to challenges in the coffee sector nationally, the cooperative has experienced declining coffee production in certain areas, three factories—Nyakahura, Kiairathe, and Kabiruini,remain dormant, while Kirangano, Thangathi, Watuha, and Gathima now function primarily as collection centers. Notably, farmers have not abandoned their coffee heritage; the bushes remain, though attention has diversified toward lucrative alternatives such as avocado cultivation and fodder production for dairy enterprises.
But with the reforms in the industry, a new impetus has been injected and the volumes have started going up. In the current season, 2024/2025 the cooperative has sold 375,032Kgs of Clean coffee at an average price of $ 341 per bag or $6.8 per Kg, earning the cooperative $2,555,256 or 330 million. Farmers will most likely receive over 100 per Kg of cherry
Each factory maintains its dedicated administrative office, while the cooperative’s headquarters are strategically situated in Kangema town. The society has vertically integrated its operations, now roasting and packaging its own coffee under the distinguished IYEGO brand.
Should you have acquaintances from this region, encourage them to bring you this premium coffee during their next village visit, but be prepared to compensate fairly, as the entrepreneurial spirit of Murang’a residents ensures every transaction remains strictly business!
Don’t forget to download and visit Kilimo News App for more details about IYEGO and other coffee producers in Kenya or use the web version at https://app.kilimonews.co.ke/index.php/site/index
