Rise of the Kapkiyai Queens: A Cup of Change from the Nandi Hills
In the heart of Kenya, nestled in the picturesque Nandi Hills, also known as the "Home of Champions" because they have produced sporting legends such as Eliud Kipchoge and Pamela Jelimo, you will find the Kapkiyai Multipurpose Cooperative. Started in 2000 with just 12 pioneers, it has since grown to a proud 610 members. But behind these numbers lies a story of change, empowerment and, above all, inclusion.
You see, just a decade ago, Kapkiyai looked very different. Of the 38 members, not a single one was a woman. Although these women toiled day in and day out, from picking ripe coffee cherries to transporting those cherries to the cooperative, they were relegated to the sidelines, far from the decision-making tables and the rewards of their hard work.
But in 2010, a new wind began to blow when the Coffee Initiative got its foot in the door and emphasized the importance of women in the coffee industry. Under the forward-thinking leadership of CEO David Saina, the untapped potential of these women became clear. They were not just coffee pickers; they were the backbone of the coffee process.
Then came a decisive moment - an extraordinary general meeting that would rewrite the history of Kapkiyai. This moment marked the beginning of a new era, of recognition. Many men came forward and gave their wives parts of their coffee trees, a sign of their trust.
Today, out of 398 members, 106 are women, who contribute a significant portion of the cooperative's coffee production. But their efforts did not stop there. These women played a crucial role in the purchase of the cooperative's new eco-pulping machine, a state-of-the-art machine that can process an incredible 1,500 kilograms of coffee cherries per hour. As board chair Saina says, "Without the women, we would not have this machine."
The revolution didn't stop there. Women began to rise through the ranks, with figures like Dorcas Jeptanui not only leading the women in the coffee group but also being part of the decision-making body. The results spoke for themselves. By 2018, the ladies launched the region's first Fairtrade certified coffee produced only by women. The quality of the coffee took an incredible leap, with premium varieties increasing from 25% to over 70%.
From the beautiful area of Nandi County, the women of Kapkiyai, once marginalized, have brewed a story of change, quality and empowerment. Every sip of Kapkiyai coffee is not only a taste of the rich Kenyan soil, but also a testament to what inclusion and faith can achieve.
We visited Kenya for the first time in May 2023.
