Kenya - Kigwandi AB by Mutheka FCS

The Mutheka Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS), established in 2004, is composed of over 6000 farmers who are actively engaged in agriculture in Nyeri County, located in central Kenya. The cooperative runs seven factories, referred to as washing stations in Kenya, among them being the Kigwandi factory. The Kigwandi factory, which is affiliated with the Mutheka FCS, operates by utilizing hydroelectric power sourced from the Kagumo River. The smallholder farmers who supply cherries to the Kigwandi factory typically have an average of 207 coffee trees, and usually cultivate food crops alongside their coffee farms. The cherries received from these farmers are collected, combined, and processed by being washed, fermented, and dried on raised beds. The Cooperative places great emphasis on maintaining high standards of quality, and their meticulous sorting is evident throughout the entire production process. Despite the fact that their equipment is outdated and requires upgrading, they continue to win local competitions for producing excellent coffee. The Mutheka FCS operates under the motto of "Urumwe, Utheri na Utonga," which translates to "Unity, Transparency, and Wealth." Their primary objective is to enhance the livelihoods of other farmers within the group. The Cooperative is widely recognized for producing premium coffee and has received numerous accolades for the quality of their coffee beans.