By Priscilla Nzaka, Justin Machini, David Karanja and Jean Claude Rubyogo
Beans are far more than a dietary staple in Kenya; they are a linchpin of the nation’s food security, economic progress, and nutritional well-being. Representing over 70% of leguminous proteins in Kenyan diets, beans have transformed from a humble subsistence crop into a thriving, market-oriented commodity. This remarkable evolution not only sustains farmers’ livelihoods but also plays a crucial role in job creation, especially for youth and women.
Despite their significance, bean production in Kenya has struggled to keep up with rising demand, resulting in a heightened dependence on imports. Kenya’s annual bean consumption is estimated at 750,000 metric tons (mt), while domestic production stands at about 600,000mt. This shortfall of roughly 150,000mt is filled by imports from neighboring countries like Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
To address this production gap, the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) in collaboration with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), through the SeedEqual Initiative is spearheading efforts to double bean production to 1.2 million mt, while also boosting domestic consumption and exports. This ambitious goal aims to significantly improve nutrition, increase incomes, and create more jobs.
To advance this, in May this year, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr. Paul Ronoh, led a crucial Inter-Ministerial Technical Working Group meeting. The session brought together a diverse array of stakeholders to tackle challenges and explore opportunities within Kenya’s crop and livestock value chains, with a particular focus on the bean sector. Dr Ronoh requested all stakeholders to work together to expand production of beans to from current 1million acres to 5 million acres by also expanding to non-traditional bean growing areas.
The meeting also featured key figures from PABRA under the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, including Bean Program Leader and Director, Jean Claude Rubyogo and Senior Research Associate, Justin Machini, while the KALRO was represented by National Bean Program Coordinator, Mr. David Karanja and Plant Pathologist, Vicky Korir. In addition, bean offtakers, such as Michael Githinji from Delish and Nutri, also formed part and parcel of the discussions. PABRA played a vital role in facilitating collaboration and dialogue among these groups to address the bean sector’s pressing challenges and opportunities.
Among others, the experts’ discussions centered on adopting a multi-stakeholder approach to enhance the bean value chain, underscoring PABRA’s role in encouraging policymakers to prioritize bean production. This collaborative effort aims to boost food security and generate job opportunities for youth and women in agriculture. By aligning with Kenya’s broader economic and social development goals, the initiative highlights the essential role beans play in strengthening the nation’s food system.
A cornerstone of this strategy is the implementation of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) and the Bean Corridor approach. These platforms act as collaborative hubs where diverse stakeholders—from farmers to private sector off-takers—gather to address challenges and uncover opportunities within the bean value chain. By promoting learning and knowledge exchange, these platforms have significantly accelerated the adoption of new bean varieties. The private sector is crucial in driving demand, while the government, at both national and county levels, supports this initiative with favorable policies that enhance the production and marketing of high-quality, tradeable beans.

Dr. Eliud Kireger (Center), Director General of KALRO, along with the KALRO Katumani bean team and Elgeyo Marakwet County extension staff, visited Nyota bean farmers and schools in Chepkorio Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County
Building on this momentum, PABRA and KALRO have forged partnerships with several counties, including Bomet, Laikipia, Homabay, Nakuru, Nyeri, Narok, and Elgeyo Marakwet, to boost the production of High Iron and Zinc Bean (HIB) varieties. These collaborations aim to accelerate bean production by distributing certified seeds, strengthening links with the private sector, establishing aggregation centers, enhancing the skills of extension workers, and engaging institutions and financial service providers. Through these integrated efforts, the initiative seeks to develop a sustainable, resilient bean production system that meets Kenya’s growing demand while potentially contributing up to 20 billion shillings to the economy through job creation.
As part of these efforts, stakeholders have been actively engaging with farmers to support and review the implementation of bean production strategies.
During an engagement in Elgeyo Marakwet, Mr. Edwin Seronei, the CECM for Agriculture, acknowledged KALRO’s efforts, saying, “We appreciate KALRO’s introduction of the Nyota bean, which has achieved significant success in our county’s lower zones. We also need bean varieties suitable for the highland regions.”
In response, Dr. Eliud Kireger, KALRO’s Director General, said, “We are actively developing bean varieties that will thrive in highland areas. Additionally, we have distributed the newly released Waithera bean variety to farmers to test its adaptability in their specific growing conditions.”
The recent meeting and the ongoing initiatives underscore PABRA’s dedication to working with policymakers and advancing Kenya’s agricultural sector. By boosting bean production, PABRA is contributing to a more secure and prosperous future, with beans continuing to play a pivotal role in the country’s development strategy.