Originally established in the 1920s by British colonial settlers, Imani Farm (meaning ‘Faith’ in Swahili) was acquired by John Reuben Mbugua in 1967. This 14-acre farm boasts a rich heritage, with 100% SL28 & SL34 coffee varietals planted in the 1950s. Unfortunately, like many coffee farms in Kenya, it was abandoned in the 1980s due to the high cost of production and historically low coffee prices.
In 2021, Derek Mbugua (John Ruben’s grandson) and his cousin, Francis Kungu (founder of Jamii Coffee – an Oregon-based importer) began a collaboration to revive the farm, sharing a vision to create a sustainable supply chain, all the way from the farm to roasters all over the US. Together, their focus has been on establishing environmental and financial sustainability. By working together, they aim to restore Imani Farm to its former glory and contribute to the local community's economic and social well-being. Their dedication to ethical and sustainable practices ensures that Imani Farm produces high-quality coffee while respecting the environment and empowering local farmers.
