https://www.awmagazine.o...-brewers-america-crazy/

The above story aptly captures the sad predicament of coffee farmers in Kenya. Farmers from Nyeri have been winning the global award for the best tasting coffee year after year. Factories affiliated to Barichu have gotten used to foreign journalists coming to their villages to see where the high quality beans come from. And yet, for that high quality coffee, whose demand far outstrips the supply, the farmers received 97/- per Kg. Pathetic you may think until you learn they are the luckiest in the country.

The factory in my village paid farmers Kes. 28/- per Kg last season. Brokers have started trooping to my village to buy the berries straight from the farm @ 40/- per kg. Cash on the spot. The brokers then deliver these berries to factories affiliated to Barichu. After a few months, they will double their investment.

The villagers have invented a name for the practice; "mikohoro". The government insists the practice is illegal but it is fighting a losing battle thanks to the boda-bodas who ferry the berries. Almost half of the factories have closed down for lack of coffee to process.

On a positive note, I was in the village two weeks ago. The usual guys who are always trying to squeeze a drink from me were nowhere to be found. When they eventually showed up at the local pub, one bought me a drink. What is going on here ?? The barmaid whispered to me it is the "mikohoro" season. Everyone is loaded. But the local factory is quiet. KPLC disconnected the power a while back.

Good old capitalism always wins.