Tea processing is the method in which the leaves from the tea plant Camellia sinensis are transformed into the dried leaves for brewing tea. The categories of tea are distinguished by the processing they undergo. In its most general form, tea processing involves different manners and degrees of oxidation of the leaves, stopping the oxidation, forming the tea and drying it. The innate flavor of the dried tea leaves is determined by the type of cultivar of the tea bush, the quality of the plucked tea leaves, and the manner and quality of the production processing they undergo. After processing, a tea may be blended with other teas or mixed with flavourants to alter the flavor of the final tea. List of KTDA Tea Factories in Kirinyaga County
List of KTDA Tea Factories in Kirinyaga County
Thumaita Tea Factory
Factory Location:
- Situated in Thumaita sub-location, Karumandi location, Gichugu Division, Kirinyaga District
- Latitude & longitude: 0 22 South of Equator & 370 23′ East
- Distance from Nairobi: 138km
Factory Highlights:
- It was built :17th November 1975 (Commissioning)
- Catchment & number of growers:Thumaita catchment;10,785 Growers
- Clones of tea grown :31/8, 6/8, 303/577, TN14 & B12
- Community based projects: roads renovation
Access Roads:
- Major highway: Off Embu-Kerugoya highway.
- Feeder roads: Thumaita-Kianyaga,Kibai-Kavote
Geographical Features:
- At the foot of Mt.Kenya between Thiba and Kamweti rivers 5km from Kamweti forest
Climatic Conditions:
- Temperature: 15-22°C
- Rainfall: 1200-1800mm per annum
- Humidity: 72°F
- Altitude: 5500ft above sea level
- Soils: Red volcanic soil
Ndima Tea Factory
Factory Highlights:
- Ndima tea factory was commissioned on 25th September, 1981.
- The area under tea plantation is 1269 hectares with 32 Buying centres.
- The catchment lies in agro-economical Zone with 8202 growers.
- The main clones are 6/8 and 34/8 clones.
Factory Location:
- It’s location is at the boundary of Nyeri and Kirinyaga districts, on latitude 270 South of the Equator and Longitude 37.0.135km from Nairobi city.
Access Roads:
- The factory is accessed by all weather murrum road 4 kilometres from the Karatina- Kerugoya Tarmac road.
Geographical Features:
- The area is transverse by two all Season Rivers; Kururu and Ruamuthambi and has a relatively cool weather other than the cold months of July and August.
- The soils are deep red volcanic soils.
- It’s on the Southern slopes of Mt.Kenya and 5 km away from the Mt.Kenya forest.
Kimunye Tea Factory
Factory Location:
- Kimunye tea factory falls within KTDA administrative Region 3 and is situated in Gichugu Division, Kirinyaga District of Central Province approximately 154Km from Nairobi city and 18Km from Kerugoya town.
- Its Location is 0º 25′ 31.9″ South of the equator and 37º 18′ 32.2″ East of the Meridian at a height of 1820M above sea level.
Factory Highlights:
- Its construction was done between the years 1975 to 1979 when it was commissioned.
- The factory occupies an area approximately 12Ha of land.
- It serves 7302 growers in 43 collection centres all coded. The area under tea is 1477.14Ha.
- Clones of tea grown in the catchment are 6/8, 31/8, 12/2, BB35 & 303/557.
- ISO 9001: 2000 certified.
Access Roads:
- Major highways: Kerugoya – Kutus and Kutus – Kianyaga.
- Feeder roads: Gakoigo – Ithareini – Kabare – Mukarara – Gatugura – Kimunye and Rukenya – kabare –Mukarara – Gatugura – Kimunye
Geographical Features:
- The nearest and greatest natural features are the Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kenya forest.
- The factory is also served by two rivers namely Kiringa and Thiba rivers.
Climatic Conditions:
- The climate is cool with a maximum temperature of 28°C, minimum 15°C.
- Cumulative rainfall is over 2000mm per year.
- Soils are volcanic and slightly acidic with a pH of 5-6.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
- The factory maintains a tree nursery to enhance afforestation in the community around the factory, offers assistance through contributions to the needy e.g. children’s homes, participates and provides host to other bodies running the community based HIV/AIDS control and prevention as our social responsibility
