KWALE County—Jan 19, 2026—The government has announced plans to deepen collaboration with private sector players in the coconut farming and palm wine value chain as part of efforts to strengthen agribusiness, enhance value addition and expand access to international markets.
Speaking after touring the Kentaste coconut processing plant in Kwale County, Investment Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan Kwiji said the government is developing comprehensive strategies to work with stakeholders to grow the sector and improve competitiveness of coconut-based products.
Kwiji said the focus will be on value addition, investment promotion and market development, noting that coconut products such as palm wine, coconut oil, flour, vinegar and fibre have significant potential in both regional and global markets.
His remarks were echoed by the Kenya Special Economic Zones Authority Chief Executive Officer, Ken Chelule, who said public-private partnerships will play a key role in strengthening agribusinesses, increasing investment and positioning Kenya as a regional hub for coconut processing.
Chelule said the Special Economic Zones framework offers incentives that can support expansion of processing facilities and export-oriented production.
Kentaste Chief Executive Officer Kyle Denning said the company is seeking to scale up investment and expand its operations in Kenya through closer collaboration with government agencies and industry stakeholders.
The Coast region is one of Kenya’s major coconut-growing areas, with thousands of households relying on the crop for income.
Industry players say improved processing, market access and policy support could significantly raise farmer earnings while creating jobs across the value chain.
