Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has given Gusii Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union (GCFCU) permission to package and brand its coffee.
Speaking to this writer in his office the union Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Mainya said GCFCU has met all standards required by KEBS.
Mainya said the cooperative will soon roll out its programme on packaging and marketing of the product in both local and international markets.
"The Union management had decided to start packaging coffee from its Simbaut Farm in Borabu sub-county, before expanding its packaging to coffee deliverd by the primary co-operative societies affiliated to the Union," said Mainya.
"As a Union management we have decided to use our small capacity roaster to roast our coffee from Simbaut Farm,awaiting procurement of a large capacity coffee roaster to handle high volumes of coffee beans,"said Mainya.
The CEO challenged Kisii County Government to consider facilitating the union to acquire a large capacity coffee roaster to enable it roll out large scale coffee roasting and packaging.
Mainya further appealed to the county government to source for an international market for the branded Gusii coffee, which he said was distinctive in its natural taste.