About Us
Rooted in Kirinyaga coffee farming since 1953.
Kibirigwi Farmers Co-operative Society brings smallholder coffee farmers together for processing, quality improvement, marketing, training, and member service through a network of eight wet mills.
Our story
A member-owned society built around coffee and shared progress.
Kibirigwi FCS was registered in 1953 under Kenya's co-operative framework. Its purpose is to advance the welfare and economic interests of members by organising coffee production, processing, marketing, training, and services through a farmer-owned institution.
The society is based in Kirinyaga West, along the Nairobi–Nyeri corridor. Farmers deliver ripe coffee cherry to their local factory, where it is received, weighed, pulped, fermented, washed, dried, and prepared as parchment before dry milling and marketing.
*The current 16,000+ membership figure was supplied by the society office. For historical context, Fairtrade Africa's 2022 producer profile reported 6,898 certified members, including 30% women.
Factory network
Eight wet mills connecting members to the society.
Each factory is a local service point for cherry reception, weighing, processing, quality guidance, records, and farmer communication.
Explore Factory Profiles
Chema
Kiangai
Kianjege
Kibingoti
Mukangu
Nguguini
Ragati
Thunguri
Purpose and principles
Focused on farmer welfare, quality, and accountable service.
Our purpose
Improve members' living standards through dependable services, practical training, careful handling of produce, stronger market access, and better returns.
Our ambition
Be a leading co-operative in the quality and quantity of coffee and other farm produce while keeping members at the centre of progress.
Our values
Efficiency, effectiveness, co-operation, honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability guide the society's work.
Coffee profile
Highland Arabica, processed through the fully washed method.
Fairtrade Africa's producer profile describes Kibirigwi coffee at about 1,700 metres above sea level, grown in red volcanic loam, with the main picking period running from October to December.
Learn About Coffee QualityCoffee typeArabica
ProcessingFully washed
Growing profileAbout 1,700 metres
Main picking periodOctober–December
Common varietiesSL28, SL34, K7, Ruiru 11 and Batian
Quality and community investment
Turning co-operative resources into practical farmer support.
Farmer Training
Training in good agricultural practices, quality, manure use, and Fairtrade production standards supports farm productivity.
Drying Quality
The Fairtrade profile documents 78 metal drying beds introduced to help protect parchment quality during drying.
Access Improvements
Two footbridges and a footpath funded through Fairtrade premiums helped farmers deliver coffee during rainy periods.
Climate Resilience
The society has promoted climate-mitigation measures, sustainable land management, and additional income opportunities.
Part of Kirinyaga's coffee economy
Connected to a wider county network of smallholder producers.
The County Government of Kirinyaga identifies Kibirigwi as one of 14 co-operative societies served by Kirinyaga Slopes. Across those societies, the wider county network represents more than 120,000 smallholder coffee farmers.
Talk to the society
Membership and official records are confirmed by the society office.
Contact the office for current membership figures, leadership information, registration documents, factory contacts, partnership enquiries, or approved reports.