Kieni Cooperative

The story

Kieni is a cooperative wet mill, or factory, located in the Nyeri region of Kenya. It serves approximately 1,000 smallholder members who grow coffee alongside other crops on their land. The factory has maintained a long-standing partnership with international roasters, with some collaborations dating back to 2010.

Challenges

Farmers face the typical challenges of small-scale production in the Nyeri region, where coffee is grown as one of many crops on limited land. The factory relies on the consistent delivery of high-quality cherries from numerous independent members to maintain its reputation.

Innovations

The factory utilizes double fermentation processing to enhance the clarity and flavor profile of its coffee. Additionally, farmers practice intercropping with bananas to support biodiversity and improve soil health.