Gachagua in Colombia for coffee forum

By Peter Ochieng

Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua is in Bogota, Colombia for the Global Coffee Producers and Roasters Forum.

He travelled out of the country last night.

Gachagua in a statement said the government remains firm in its resolve to reform the coffee sector in the country.

"Our resolve to revive the coffee sub-sector remains firm. This visit to Colombia will enhance the efforts to make the sub-sector profitable to the farmer as was years before," he said.

"Colombia is a global leader in specialty coffee. It produces and exports to high value markets such as the United States, Germany, and Belgium, which Kenya is also targeting through value addition."

"The country produces about 12 percent of the world’s coffee, making it the third largest in the world. We have a lot to learn from them," added the second in command.

Brazil and Vietnam are the world's 1st and 2nd largest coffee producers respectively.

From Colombia, South America, Gachagua will head to Havana, Cuba where he will represent president William Ruto at the G77 Summit.

The Group of 77 (G77) is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations.

There were 77 founding members of the organization headquartered in Geneva, but it has since expanded to 134 member countries.

This year's summit runs from 15th to 16th, September, 2023.

At the same time, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is in the United Kingdom (UK) for a three day visit.

"Excited and ready to engage with UK government officials, industry leaders, and like-minded partners," Mudavadi shared on his arrival in the UK on Sunday.

He said his mission entails showcasing Kenya as the premier investment hub in Eastern Africa and beyond.