Nyeri County in central Kenya's Mount Kenya region is famous for its coffee, which grows on rich volcanic soils at altitudes between 1,300 and 2,300 metres.
The history of coffee in Nyeri dates back to the early 20th century, when British settlers introduced the crop to the region. Initially confined to large colonial farms, coffee farming became more democratic after Kenya gained independence in 1963. This transition profoundly changed the agricultural and socio-economic landscape of Nyeri, making coffee a pillar of the local economy and a symbol of cultural identity.
Coffee production in Nyeri is mainly organised on small family farms, most of which grow coffee on plots of less than one hectare. The dominant varieties are SL28 and SL34. Farmers are organised into cooperatives, which play a crucial role in the collection, processing and marketing of coffee.
