Leadership, Oversight, and Accountability in Kenyan Coffee Exports
Strong governance is essential in the Kenyan coffee sector, where trust, traceability, and regulatory compliance directly affect buyer confidence. At KCCE, governance is not treated as a formality, but as a working system that guides decision-making, safeguards farmer interests, and ensures accountability across the export chain.
Our governance structure aligns cooperative principles with national legislation and international market expectations, providing buyers with confidence that operations are transparent, regulated, and responsibly managed.
Our Board
KCCE operates under a board-led governance model, supported by subsidiary and affiliated entities within the Group. The Board provides strategic direction, policy oversight, and fiduciary responsibility, ensuring the organisation remains compliant, ethical, and focused on long-term value creation.
KCCE Board of Directors
#
Name
Project
01.
Mr. Newton Ndiritu
Chairman
02.
Mr. Vincent Langat
Vice Chairman
03.
Mr. David Kirk Obonyo
Commissioner for Co-operatives
04.
Dr. James Munywa
Director
05.
Mrs. Judith Bomji
Director
06.
Mr. Williams Njung’a
Director
07.
Dr. James Gathua
Director
08.
Mr. Henry Gachuhi
Director
09.
Mr. Daniel Marube
Director
10.
Mr. Julius Riungu
Director
11.
Mr. Francis Ngone
Director
12.
Dr. Jane Kathuku
Chief Executive Officer
Corporate Governance Framework
Shareholders jointly and severally exercise supreme authority through general meetings, as provided for under the society’s by-laws. Eligibility for membership and criteria for the election of Directors are clearly defined and regulated within these by-laws.
The Board is responsible for directing policy and overseeing the affairs of the Society. Its powers, duties, and procedures are guided by Kenyan law, including the Co-operatives Societies Act, the Coffee Act and associated Rules, and internal governance instruments.
The Board is held accountable for ensuring efficient and effective governance. Its role includes:
Providing strategic direction
Overseeing management performance
Ensuring regulatory and statutory compliance
Safeguarding the interests of members, farmers, and stakeholders
Governance at KCCE is grounded in clear principles: participation, transparency, accountability, effectiveness, fairness, consistency, and adherence to the rule of law. Where necessary, the Board engages with government and relevant institutions to protect the organisation’s mandate and the interests of its members.
Ethical Leadership & Organisational Culture
The Board has deliberately cultivated an ethical culture that is reflected in leadership conduct, staff behaviour, and organisational values. This culture emphasises integrity, responsibility, and respect for the people who sustain the coffee value chain.
Core principles include:
Doing the right thing, at the right time, and in the right way
Upholding character and professional excellence
Promoting compassion, fairness, and farmer welfare
These values are embedded across the organisation and shape how KCCE relates to farmers, cooperative societies, regulators, and international buyers.
Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
KCCE operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework that governs coffee production, trade, labour, food safety, and export logistics. Compliance is maintained through valid licenses, certifications, inspections, and statutory reporting.
Key Licensing Laws & Regulations
Co-operatives Act (Cap 490)
Coffee Act (Cap 430) and Coffee Act No. 9 of 2001
Nairobi Coffee Exchange Trading Rules (2012, 2018)
Capital Markets Authority regulations
Agriculture Act (Cap 318)
Crops Act, 2013
Agricultural Fisheries & Food Authority Act
Operational & Export Compliance
Coffee Directorate certificates and Mark of Origin
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services phytosanitary certificates
Kenya Revenue Authority tax compliance, GSP, and EURO 1 certificates
International Coffee Organization export certificates
KENTRADE export documentation facilitation
Kenya Maritime certification
Weights and Measures inspection and calibration
County government business permits and health certificates
Standards, Certifications & Memberships
Chain of Custody certifications to facilitate trade
Fairtrade certification
Rainforest Alliance certification
FDA licensing supported by Registrar Corp
NEMA environmental coverage
Membership in the Kenya Chamber of Commerce