+6
Yes, the Coffee Board of Kenya (CBK) and associated cooperative structures have historically been accused of mismanagement, corruption, and creating bureaucratic bottlenecks that frustrated Kenyan farmers, resulting in low earnings, massive debt, and decreased production
. Mismanagement, including delayed payments and lack of transparency, has long plagued the sector, causing farmers to abandon the crop. 
Facebook +4
Key Aspects of Mismanagement and Farmer Frustration:
- Corruption and Cartels: The industry has been dominated by corrupt cartels and middlemen who exploited farmers, leading to high transaction costs and meager returns.
- Poor Governance: Coffee cooperatives and unions were often captured by corrupt officials, leading to mismanagement, high debt, and a lack of accountability.
- Delayed Payments and Debts: Farmers have faced extreme frustration due to delayed payments and mounting debt, with many factories operating under huge loans taken without members’ consent.
- Unfavorable Policies: Historically, the Coffee Act (CAP 333) has been described as a “colonial shackle” that, along with poor regulatory oversight, allowed for exploitation.
- Liberalization Issues: The liberalization of the coffee industry in the 1990s, while aimed at reducing government control, led to the splitting of large, efficient cooperatives into small, unviable units, worsening the woes. Facebook +6
Reforms, such as the Coffee Bill of 2023, were introduced to address these issues by strengthening regulatory oversight and empowering farmers. Despite these efforts, coffee farmers have continued to grapple with the effects of cartels, low prices, and the need for stricter, more transparent, management.