News Categories: Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Development

During our recent Ushirika Day celebrations, we reached an exciting milestone on our journey to elevate Nandi’s coffee to global standards. We officially launched the Nandi County Coffee Nursery Management and Licensing Guidelines, 2025 as part of our broader commitment under the Nandi Coffee Code of Practice.

What does this mean for you?

Whether your nursery is private, cooperative, or public, it now needs to be licensed, compliant, and accountable. These new guidelines are here to protect you, the farmer; by making sure that only certified seeds from KALRO–CRI are used, and that all seedlings are raised in clean, traceable, and verified conditions. No more guesswork. No more risks.

But this is bigger than just regulation. It’s about restoring trust, guaranteeing quality, and safeguarding our future.

This reform is a key step toward our dream of securing a Geographical Indication (GI) for Nandi Coffee which is a global recognition of what makes our beans so unique. From our rich volcanic soils to the cool escarpment altitudes and our heritage of livestock and organic farming, Nandi has what it takes to stand out on the world stage.

So let’s walk this journey together.

Let’s embrace the Nandi Coffee Code of Practice; a shared roadmap to regenerative, organic, and climate-smart farming. Because when we protect quality, we protect our farmers. And when the Nandi farmer thrives, Nandi shines.

Kabiyet – In a landmark event that marks a new dawn for the dairy sector in Nandi County, the Technical Commissioning of the Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) Milk Production line at the Kabiyet Milk Processing Plant was successfully conducted earlier today. This milestone is a testament to H.E Governor Stephen Sang’s unwavering commitment to transforming the agricultural economy of Nandi, as pledged under his TransformativeAgenda.

The UHT milk production line is set to revolutionize dairy farming in the region by extending the shelf life of milk, reducing post-harvest losses, and opening up new markets for local farmers. This development aligns perfectly with the governor’s vision of value addition, job creation, and economic empowerment for the great people of Nandi.

Present during the commissioning was the Area MCA, Leader Of Majority Hon. Walter Teno, who lauded the project as a game-changer for local dairy farmers. Also in attendance were the Nandi County Technical Team and Directors of the Nandi Dairy Cooperative Union (NDCU), who expressed optimism about the plant’s potential to boost incomes and strengthen the dairy value chain.

A Promise Delivered

Governor Sang has consistently emphasized the need to modernize agriculture and leverage technology to uplift farmers. Today’s achievement is a clear confirmation of his pledge to industrialize Nandi County and ensure that farmers reap maximum benefits from their produce.

With the UHT line now operational, Nandi is poised to become a leading milk producer in the region, supplying high-quality, long-life milk to both local and international markets. This move is expected to attract investors, create jobs, and enhance food security, further solidifying Nandi’s reputation as the “Dairy Hub of Kenya.”

Winchit – The Transformation Continues

As the county celebrates this milestone, residents have reaffirmed their support for Governor Sang’s leadership, confident that his transformative agenda will continue to deliver tangible results. The journey towards a prosperous, self-reliant Nandi is well underway, and today’s commissioning is proof that #Winchit is more than just a slogan – it’s a reality in motion.

Long Live Nandi County!

Long Live Governor Stephen Sang’s Vision!

#TransformativeAgenda #Winchit #DairyRevolution #GovernorSangDelivers

To ensure the Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development’s operations continue smoothly under Governor Stephen Sang’s renewed mandate, Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat, the CEC Member for Agriculture and Cooperative Development, has today presided over the taking over ceremony of newly appointed Agriculture and Cooperative Development Chief Officers, Dr. Paul Sanga and Ms. Caroline Lagat.

The handover ceremony was held at the Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development and was attended by administrative officials from the County Secretary’s office, Chairman agriculture committee county assembly Hon. Julius Kipkosgei, as well as directors and staff from the Agriculture department.

Hand over of Responsibilities and Duties to the new Chief Officers.

Speaking during the handover/taking over ceremony, CECM Dr. Kiplimo Arap Lagat extensively highlighted on the importance of commitment, transparency and accountability in the management and implementation of open governance and ensuring efficiency of service delivery for the promotion and development of the agricultural sector in Nandi.

“As a department, we are committed to ensuring that our agricultural sector is well managed, and that all priorities are obliged. Our biggest mandate as a department is to implement policies and regulations. Our responsibility is to create effective sequence of strategies and proposed actions for the synchronization of the primary function of the department which is to promote and support the growth and development of the agricultural sector in Nandi, and it is our responsibility to implement them.”

Dr. Sanga expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Nandi County in his new role and pledged to work closely with all staff and stakeholders to ensure the success of the agriculture and cooperative development activities in the county.

Ag. Chief Officer, Dr. Samson Bitok hands over responsibilities and duties to Chief Officer Agriculture, Dr. Paul Sanga.

On her part, Chief Officer Cooperative Development, Ms Caroline Lagat reiterated the zeal to implement the department’s mission of open governance and efficient service delivery to the public engaged to agriculture and cooperative development.

Ag. Chief Officer, Dr. Samson Bitok hands over responsibilities and duties to Chief Officer Cooperative Development, Ms. Caroline Lagat.

The newly appointed officials are now expected to work closely with the public and all stakeholders to achieve the county’s goals and objectives towards a vibrant agricultural sector. #ContinuedTransformation

The County Government of Nandi through its Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development is working to increase the coffee production in Nandi County and make it one of the leading, if not top, coffee-producing counties in Kenya. Some of the strategies earmarked by the Agriculture directorate include expanding production in suitable agroecological zones in the North and South Coffee Belts, which include specific regions with higher potential in the county.

Beginning this January, the department’s expansion efforts include mapping, registering, profiling and training farmers in preparation for increased production. It is also working closely with coffee researchers and farmers’ cooperatives to propagate over 2,000,000 coffee seedlings this year.

The Northern Coffee Belt includes Chepterwai, Kipkaren, Ndalat, Kabisaga, and Lelmokwo Ngechek wards, and the Southern Coffee Belt encompasses Ol’lessos, Kapchorwa, Tindiret, Songhor Soba, Kapsimotwo, Chemelil-Chemase, Koyo-Ndurio, Kobujoi Maraba, and Terik Wards.

In addition to coffee, the department is also supporting the development of high-yielding value chains such as dairy, avocado, and tea in the central belt. The central belt is made up of Kurgung Surungai, Kabiyet, Sang’alo Kebulonik, Chepkumia, Kapkangani, Kapsabet and Kilibwoni wards in Mosop and Emgwen Sub Counties.

It also includes Chemundu Kapng’etuny, Kosirai, Kaptel Kamoiywo, Kiptuya, Lessos, Nandi Hills and Kabwareng wards Chesumei,Nandi Hills & Aldai Sub Counties.

To further this goal, the CECM for Agriculture and Cooperative Development Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat made a visit to the Coffee Research Institute (CRI) to learn about new developments in the coffee industry and discuss potential collaborations with the management, led by Dr. Jane Cheserek. #ContinuedTransformation #DolaMashinani

The County Department of Agriculture & Cooperative Development on Monday held its first consultative and sensitization forum with Members of the County Assembly led by the County Speaker Hon. Cheruiyot Melly to; create awareness and assist the honorable members to best understand and appreciate the statuses of various ward-specific projects and ASDSP II programme, being implemented by the department in collaboration with other strategic development partners, across all 30 wards.

Facilitating the session, the Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme ASDSP II coordinator Mr Job Kosgei highlighted key achievements and shared areas of support needed by the project which supports four priority Value Chains namely, Cow Milk, Maize, Fish, and Indigenous Chicken.

Some of the notable milestones made by the project include the capacity building of farmers that led to the formation of the Nandi Dairy Cooperative Union (NDCU), a federation of over 40 primary Cooperatives, spearheading the implementation of Nandi Cooperative Creameries (NCC), the establishment of a fish hatchery in Songor-Soba Ward, Super-efficient Poultry hatchery in Kaimosi ATC among many more.

These, he noted, have led to increased income for farmers, improvement in food security, increased yields of priority Value Chains as well as the creation of on-farm and off-farm employment opportunities for women and youth.

Agriculture and Cooperative Development Executive Committee Member Dr Kiplimo Araap Lagat who moderated the session revealed that the forum made headways on the initiation and legislation of various bills including the Nutrition, Kaimosi ATC, and Cooperative Bills among others through the constructive consultative session.

Deputy Governor H.E. Dr Yulita Mitei Cheruiyot, who chaired the session, urged the departments and the county assembly to work as a team for the success of devolution in our beloved county. “We can work together and engage as one team and contribute to transforming the county and taking it to the next level,” said the DG.

In his remarks, the County speaker Hon. Melly hailed the consultative meeting as a milestone that must be organized on a regular basis in order to enhance service delivery through appropriate legislation and oversight. Sentiments that were loudly echoed by the assembly clerk who emphasized that both the Executive and the Legislature ought to work in tandem if the county needs to excel in the sector he described as the mainstay and backbone of the county’s economy.

In attendance was the entire house leadership led by the Deputy Speaker, leaders of both Majority and Minority parties, the Chief Whip, the chair of the Agriculture Committee and the honorable members. Also present was the CECM for Finance and Economic Planning Hon. Hillary Serem and representatives from Nutrition International and Agriculture Department. #ContinuedTransformation

Nandi Governor has appointed members of a Taskforce to conduct an extensive review on Multinational Tea Companies engagement in Tea Sub-sector in Nandi County. The taskforce will develop a tripartite report that will provide a roadmap to facilitate sustainable solutions and coexistence between multinationals, communities and all stakeholders involved with the tea sub-sector across the County.

The Members of the Taskforce are:

John Cheruiyot – Chairman

Rev. Elijah Yego

Dr. Bernard Kiplimo Lagat

Dr. Philemon Bureti

CPA Alfred Lagat

Steven Rotich

Dr. Ruth Choge

Wilson Kipkogei Lelmengit

The Secretariat:

Godfrey Sang

Kibet Gim Awi

Maureen Chepngetich