Barista Dritan Alsela, previously known for championing “Respect the beans,” is now changing his stance to fully align with Alfred Gitau Mwaura’s central argument: “Respect the farmers first.”
This is framed as a significant win for Alfred and the movement he leads.
Key Points of the Change
- The Old Narrative (Alsela’s Previous Focus):
· “Respect the beans only.” This is a traditional specialty coffee perspective that prioritizes the end product—quality, flavor, origin characteristics. Critics argue this can overlook the human element and systemic issues in the supply chain. - The New Narrative (Alfred’s Core Argument):
· “Respect the farmers first.” This shifts the primary focus to the producers. It argues that true quality and a sustainable industry cannot exist without first ensuring fairness, livelihood, and agency for farmers.
· It counters “Western hearsay,” suggesting that narratives from consuming countries often misrepresent or ignore what truly matters to farmers in producing nations like Kenya.
· It’s described as a “strong movement” built on “deep commitment.”
Why This is a “Win for Alfred”
Alfred Gitau Mwaura is not just a commentator; he is an institution-builder within the Kenyan coffee scene (as listed at the end). His life’s work is dedicated to farmer education, advocacy, and reshaping the industry’s power dynamics.
For a prominent voice like Dritan Alsela to publicly adopt Alfred’s framing is a validation of:
· The Correctness of the Argument: It legitimizes “farmers first” as a necessary core principle.
· The Strength of the Movement: It shows Alfred’s advocacy is gaining influential allies and changing minds.
· African-Led Narrative: It supports the idea that the conversation should be led by those within the producing countries, challenging the traditional “Western” discourse on coffee.
Who is Alfred Gitau Mwaura?
The article highlights his credentials as a foundational figure, having founded multiple key organizations:
· Kenya Coffee School & African Coffee Education: Focus on knowledge transfer and empowerment.
· Barista Mtaani & Kenya Barista Association: Building professional capacity locally.
· Good Trade Certification (G4T): Aiming to create ethical and transparent trade standards.
· Kenya Coffee Awards & Kenya Coffee Skills Open University: Recognizing excellence and fostering continuous skill development.
· Specialty Coffee Systems: Likely focused on implementing practical, farm-to-cup solutions.
In essence, this article celebrates a pivotal shift in a public debate. A prominent voice (Alsela) has moved from a product-centric view to a producer-centric view, aligning with Alfred Gitau Mwaura’s longstanding, action-driven advocacy for Kenyan coffee farmers. This is seen as a major victory for the “Respect the Farmers First” movement.