The Ministry of Agriculture has called on all interested persons who wish to deal in the coffee business to apply for a licence afresh.
The ministry said the new application will be considered by the relevant authorities before June 30.
The notice dated June 16, states that all licenses issued by different authorities run for 12 months.
The said period starts from July 1 to June 30 of the succeeding year. Therefore all the existing licenses held by coffee value chain players will expire on June 30.
The notice read that the ministry has taken note of many players participating in the coffee trade that have played a major role in curbing the challenges of coffee farmers.
These include the millers who are licensed by the county government, brokers by the Capital Markets Authority, and the buyers by the Agriculture and Food Authority-Coffee Directorate.
"The ministry notes that the provisions of crops(coffee) (general) regulations,2019 have not been adhered to in some cases by all the licensing authorities," reads the notice.
The notices state that applicants are advised to apply and submit applications in accordance with their license category.
The notice further reads that a licensing authority shall not grant a license to any applicant found to be in contravention of section 11(1) and (4) of the Crops (coffee)(General)Regulations,2019.
"A holder of a coffee buyer's license or any other entity associated with such holder shall not be licensed as a commercial miller, broker, roaster, agent or warehouseman," the Act states.
The Act further states that the holder of a commercial miller's license or any other entity associated with such holder either in shareholding or directorship or in any other way, shall not be licensed as a broker, roaster, or agent.
"Relevant application forms are to be found on the Food and Agriculture website which is www.agricultureauthority.go.ke or kilimo.go.ke, " read the notice.
