The Kerugoya High Court has suspended the Kenyan government's implementation of the Direct Settlement System (DSS) for paying coffee farmers until May 20, 2026. This decision comes after a judge ruled that there was no public participation in 15 coffee-growing counties regarding the new regulations.

• The court cited a lack of public participation and improper appointment of a commercial bank as reasons for the suspension, also noting that the National Assembly failed to facilitate public engagement.
• Coffee farmers, including those led by National Coffee Cooperative Union Felix Muriithi and Kirinyaga Slopes Union Chairman Geoffrey Munyagia, had filed a lawsuit challenging the policy, expressing concerns over small direct payments via mobile phones.
• The government has six months from November 18, 2025, to conduct proper public participation on the Capital Market (Coffee Exchange) (Fees) regulations 2024 before the matter is revisited in court on May 20, 2026.