Germany-based Muthoni Schneidewind is determined to improve the lives of small-scale coffee farmers in Mount Kenya through her company, Chania Coffee.

Impressed by the steep price of Kenyan coffee in Europe, Muthoni established Chania Coffee to directly import unroasted coffee from Kenyan farmers, eliminating the need for intermediaries and brokers. Having grown up in Nyeri, Muthoni developed a profound love for coffee, having observed her parents cultivate the crop. Utilizing her childhood experiences, she aims to empower coffee farmers and alter the perception of poverty surrounding them.

In 2013, Muthoni embarked on extensive research to comprehend the process of direct coffee trade, discovering a law from 2007 that allowed such transactions. After a year of administrative work and logistical preparations, Chania Coffee sent its first shipment in February 2014, heralding the start of its operations. Chania Coffee imports an average of 57 metric tonnes of unroasted coffee beans annually from Kenya, functioning as both a coffee roaster and a distributor of unroasted coffee. Their product lineup includes a variety of coffee brands with Swahili names like Nyumbani Espresso, Kijiji Espresso, and Kaki Kahawa, which are sold in supermarkets.

To legally engage in the coffee trade, exporters must possess a valid coffee dealer license. They are also required to register with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and obtain certifications such as the phytosanitary certificate and the International Coffee Organisation certificate. Understanding the cyclical nature of coffee farming, Muthoni and the small-scale farmers established KEDOVO CBO. This community-based organization aims to empower women and farmers by diversifying their sources of income outside of coffee. KEDOVO runs a bakery and dairy, producing and selling yoghurt, ensuring year-round sustenance.

Susan Nyambura, a farmer and member of KEDOVO, confirms the valuable skills acquired through coffee cultivation, highlighting the positive impact of the initiative on the community. Muthoni’s unwavering dedication to empowering coffee farmers demonstrates her commitment to enhancing livelihoods and promoting sustainable development in her homeland. Through Chania Coffee and KEDOVO CBO, she continues to champion the economic empowerment of small-scale farmers, shaping a more promising future for the coffee industry in Mount Kenya.

By Martin Olage