Kenya is renowned for its thriving tea industry, which plays a significant role in the country’s economy. The Tea Board of Kenya, as the regulatory body, is responsible for overseeing the development, promotion, and regulation of the tea sector. This includes licensing tea manufacturers who convert green tea leaves into various tea products. These manufacturers handle everything from processing to packaging, labeling, and distribution for sale.
The tea manufacturing industry in Kenya is categorized into four main classes: KTDA-managed factories, large-scale manufacturers, medium-scale manufacturers, and specialty tea producers. Each of these categories plays a crucial role in the production and exportation of Kenyan tea.
List of Licensed Tea Manufacturers in Kenya
A) KTDA Managed Factories
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) manages a network of smallholder tea factories across the country. These factories primarily serve small-scale tea farmers by processing their green leaf tea.
- Chinga Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kagicha Othaya South
- Boito Tea Factory Co Ltd
- Location: Boito – Konoin
- Chebut Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kapsabet
- Chelal Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Roret – Litein
- Eberege Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: South Mugirango
- Gacharage Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Mununga – Thika
- Gachege Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Gatundu North Thika
- Gathuthi Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Nyeri
- Gatunguru Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kagema – Kiriti
- Gianchore Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Keera – Nyamira
- Githambo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kahuro
- Githongo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Meru Central
- Gitugi Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Othaya – Mahiga
- Igembe Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Maua Meru North
- Ikumbi Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Ikumbi Thika
- Imenti Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Nkubu – Marimba – Meru
- Iriaini Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Othaya – Iriaini North
- Itumbe Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Gionsaria Nyamache
- Kagwe Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Githunguri
- Kambaa Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Githunguri Thika
- Kangaita Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kigumo – Kerugoya
- Kanyenyaini Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kangema
- Kapkatet Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Litein
- Kapkoros Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Sibaiyan – Litein
- Kapsara Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kitale
- Kapset Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kericho
- Kaptumo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kapsabet
- Kathangariri Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Embu
- Kebirigo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kebirigo
- Kenyakea Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kebirigo
- Kiamokama Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Gesusu – Keroka
- Kiegoi Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Maua Meru North
- Kimunye Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kerugoya
- Kinoro Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Imenti South
- Kionyo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Nkubu
- Kiru Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kiria-ini
- Kobel Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kericho
- Kuri/Ndarugu Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Gatundu Thika
- Litein Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kisiara – Roret – Litein
- Makomboki Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Thika
- Mataara Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Chania – Thika
- Matunwa Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Nyansiogo
- Michimikuru Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Nyambane Hills – Tigania
- Mogogosiek Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Boito – Konoin
- Momul Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Chemamul – Kericho
- Motigo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Litein
- Mudete Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Mbale – Maragoli
- Mungania Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kagaari North – Embu
- Mununga Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kagumo – Kerugoya
- Ndima Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Karatina
- Nduti Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kangari
- Ngere Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kariara – Thika
- Njunu Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Thika
- Nyamache Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Gionsaria Nyamache
- Nyankoba Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Keroka
- Nyansiongo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kisii
- Ogembo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Tendere – Gucha
- Olunguruone Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Molo
- Ragati Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kagochi – Karatina
- Rianyamwamu Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Keroka
- Rorok Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Konoin – Kericho
- Rukuriri Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Runyenjes
- Sanganyi Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kebirigo
- Sombogo Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kisii
- Tebesonik Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Litein
- Tegat Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Waldai – Kericho
- Theta Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Gatundu Thika
- Thumaita Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kianyaga
- Tirgaga Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Litein
- Tombe Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Central Kitutu – Kisii
- Toror Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Kericho
- Weru Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- Location: Muthambi – Chuka
B) Large Scale Tea Manufacturers
Large-scale tea manufacturers in Kenya operate extensive plantations and facilities for the mass production of tea. These manufacturers often engage in international trade, exporting significant quantities of tea to various global markets.
Ekaterra Tea Kenya PLC
- Chagaik Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Jamji Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Kericho Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Kimari Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Kimugu Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Koruma Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Mabroukie Tea Factory
- County: Kiambu
- Tagabi Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
Finlays Kenya Ltd
- Changana Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Chomogonday Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Kitumbe Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Koros Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Kymulot Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Saosa Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
Williamson Tea Kenya Ltd
- Kapchorua Tea Co. Ltd
- County: Nandi
- Changoi Tea Factory
- County: Bomet
- Kaimosi Tea Estates Ltd
- County: Nandi
- Tinderet Tea Estate
- County: Nandi
Eastern Produce Kenya Ltd
- Chemomi Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
- Kapsumbeiwa Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
- Kepchomo Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
- Kibwari Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
- Kipkoimet Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
- Savani Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
- Siret Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
C) Medium Scale Tea Manufacturers
Medium-scale tea manufacturers strike a balance between large-scale operations and specialized production. They are vital in producing quality tea for both local and international markets.
- Aldai Tea Factory Limited
- County: Nairobi
- Chebango EPZ Tea Co. Ltd
- County: Bomet
- Chemalal Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Nairobi
- Chemusian Tea Estates Ltd
- County: Nakuru
- Emom Tea Estate – Belion Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Nairobi
- Emrok Tea Factory (EPZ) Ltd
- County: Nandi
- Ernestea Limited
- County: Nairobi
- Greenfields Tea Factory
- County: Kitale
- Kabianga Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Kapchebet Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Kapkaitin Tea Outgrowers Emp. Project Co. Ltd
- County: Nandi
- Kapsiwon Tea Factory Limited
- County: Nandi Hills
- Karirana Estates Ltd.
- County: Kiambu
- Kilibwoni Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Nandi
- Kimong Tea Factory Limited
- County: Eldoret
- Korara Highlands Tea Factory
- County: Nairobi
- Kuresoi Tea Factory Ltd.
- County: Kericho
- Lasit Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Nakuru
- Lelgotet Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
- Maramba Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Kiambu
- Mau Multipurpose Coop Society Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Mogeni Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Nyamira
- Mogusii Tea Company Ltd
- County: Nyamira
- Nandi Tea Estates Ltd
- County: Nandi
- Ndarawetta Tea Factory Ltd.
- County: Bomet
- Ngorongo Tea Factory
- County: Kiambu
- Sangalo Tea Factory Limited
- County: Kericho
- Sisibo Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Elgeyo Marakwet
- SOT Tea Growers SACCO (STEGRO)
- County: Bomet
- Sotit Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Bomet
- Taiwet Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Tet Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Bomet
Kaisugu Factories
- Kiptagich Tea Estates Ltd.
- County: Nakuru
- Kaisugu Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Tachasis Tea Factory (Kiptagich Satellite)
- County: Nakuru
Kipkebe Tea Factories
- Kipkebe Tea Factory
- County: Nyamira
- Keritor Tea Factory
- County: Nyamira
Sotik Tea Factories
- Sotik Highlands Tea Estate Limited – Mettarora
- County: Bomet
- Sotik Tea Company Ltd – Arroket T.F
- County: Nyamira
D.L Factories
- DL Koisagat Tea Estate
- County: Nandi
- D.L Kaptel T.F
- County: Nandi
Nyayo Tea Zones
- Kipchabo Tea Factory
- County: Nandi
- Gatitu Tea Factory (Nyayo)
- County: Kirinyaga
D) Specialty Tea Manufacturers
Specialty tea manufacturers focus on producing premium teas, including green, purple, white, oolong, and orthodox teas. These teas are often whole-leaf and may be semi-aerated or non-aerated, offering unique flavors and health benefits.
- Borabu Tea Factory
- County: Nyamira
- Bureti Tea Company Limited
- County: Bureti
- Camellia Kenya Limited
- County: Nandi
- Central Highlands Tea Company Ltd
- County: Murang’a
- Chai Imara Purple Tea
- County: Nandi
- Chepkumia Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Nandi
- Chesumot Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Chinga Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Kagicha Othaya South
- CLEAR RESOURCES LTD
- County: Nairobi
- Elgon Tea And Coffee Limited
- County: Trans Nzoia
- Equatorial Greenfarm Produce Limited
- County: Kerugoya
- Evergreen Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Gatanga Industries Ltd
- County: Murang’a
- Gicheha Farms Ltd
- County: Ruiru
- Gitugi Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Othaya – Mahiga
- Global Agro Limited
- County: Kakamega
- Horera Forest Edge Tea Co. Ltd.
- County: Nyeri
- Imenti Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Meru
- Itibo Ltd
- County: Bomet
- Itumbe Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Nyamache
- Kagwe Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Githunguri
- Kangaita Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Kerugoya
- Kapkwen Green Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Kapsiwon Tea Factory Limited
- County: Nandi Hills
- Karirana Estates Ltd.
- County: Kiambu
- Kericho Tea East Africa Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Kimunye Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Kerugoya
- Kipsigis Highlands Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd
- County: Kericho
- Kiru Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Kiria-ini
- Kisyet Tea Ltd
- County: Bomet
- Lilim Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Mara Tea Factory
- County: Trans Mara
- Matunwa Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Nyansiogo
- Mbogo Valley Tea Factory Ltd
- County: Nandi
- Michimikuru Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Nyambane Hills – Tigania
- Ndarawetta Tea Factory Ltd.
- County: Bomet
- Njeru Industries Ltd
- County: Meru
- PrimeLeaf Estates Limited
- County: Nairobi
- Simbelyon Tea Factory
- County: Kericho
- Thumaita Tea Factory Co. Ltd
- County: Kianyaga
- Tower Bridge Tea Co. Ltd
- County: Kericho
Tea Board of Kenya Contacts
For further information about tea manufacturing or any inquiries regarding the tea industry in Kenya, you can contact the Tea Board of Kenya through the following channels:
- Phone: 020 2536886, +254 734 600 944, +254 722 200 556
- Email: [email protected]
Conclusion
The tea industry in Kenya is diverse and expansive, with a variety of manufacturers contributing to the production of high-quality tea products. From KTDA-managed factories to large-scale, medium-scale, and specialty manufacturers, each category plays a vital role in ensuring the global reputation of Kenyan tea as a premium product.
Whether you are a smallholder tea farmer, a large-scale producer, or an international buyer, understanding the landscape of licensed tea manufacturers in Kenya is crucial for making informed decisions and fostering fruitful collaborations in this thriving industry.
