KIPSINENDE

Kipsinende is a tea estate located in the Iten region of Kenya, at an elevation of 2,361 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Sisibo Tea Factory and is recorded as a supplier to the British supermarket chain Morrisons. Kipsinende produces black tea, the dominant category for Kenyan exports.

Terroir & Climate

At 2,361 metres, Kipsinende sits at a notably high elevation for tea cultivation, even by Kenyan standards. Estates at this altitude typically experience cooler daytime temperatures and greater diurnal variation, which tends to slow the growth cycle and can encourage the development of more complex biochemistry in the leaf. The Iten region lies in Kenya's western highlands, close to the equator, where year-round growing is generally possible but where cloud cover and cooler nights are common at altitude.

High-elevation sites such as this often face trade-offs: slower vegetative growth can reduce yields but may also concentrate flavour precursors, particularly polyphenols and amino acids. Rainfall patterns in the Kenyan highlands typically follow two main seasons, though microclimates vary. Soils in this part of the Rift Valley are generally volcanic in origin, often well-drained and acidic—conditions that tend to suit Camellia sinensis well.

Tea Produced

Kipsinende produces black tea. Kenyan black teas, particularly those grown at higher elevations, are generally characterised by brisk, full-bodied liquors with bright coppery infusions. Teas from estates above 2,000 metres often display a balance of astringency and maltiness, with a clean, sometimes slightly floral or citrus edge. The cup profile tends to be well-suited to blending, which is the primary use for much of Kenya's CTC and orthodox black tea in the European market.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Kipsinende is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship indicates that the estate's output meets the quality, traceability, and volume requirements of a large retail buyer. British supermarkets have been increasingly active in identifying and auditing upstream suppliers in their tea ranges, both for own-label lines and as part of broader supply-chain transparency initiatives. The presence of Morrisons as a known buyer suggests that Kipsinende's production is directed, at least in part, toward the UK retail sector.

• Recorded supplier to  Morrisons

Operator

Kipsinende is operated by Sisibo Tea Factory. Our directory records one other estate operated by the same company, indicating that Sisibo Tea Factory manages a small portfolio of production sites within Kenya's tea sector. Factory operators in Kenya often serve as the processing and marketing hub for smallholder or estate-grown leaf in a given catchment area.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

KIPSINENDE lies at 0.6732, 35.5083 in Iten, Kenya. Its 2361 m elevation is the 7th highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Sisibo Tea Factory — 42 km away · P.O. Box 249
• Kapsara Tea Factory — 59 km away · Sibanga
• Kilibwoni Tea Factory, Tulon — 61 km away · Nandi
• Emrok — 68 km away · Kitale
• NANDI ROYAL — 68 km away · Rift Valley Province

Estates at a Similar Altitude to KIPSINENDE

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match KIPSINENDE (2,361 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. KIPSINENDE recorded 1,056 mm in 2025, 27% less than the 1,441 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.

Estate	Where	Elevation	Rain 2025	Mean high
NSHILI KIVU	Kigali, Rwanda	2,372 m	1,382 mm	18.6 °C
RUBAYA	Kabaya, Rwanda	2,379 m	1,199 mm	18.1 °C
Werraka	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	2,302 m	1,148 mm	22.6 °C
CHUNDAVURRAI	Kannan Devan Hills, India	2,299 m	2,094 mm	17.9 °C
Kiptagich Tea Factory Company Ltd	Nakuru, Kenya	2,425 m	1,382 mm	20.5 °C

KIPSINENDE Compared with Kenya

In Kenya, KIPSINENDE is drier than 79% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 97% of the others by elevation; cooler than 93% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets KIPSINENDE against the 185 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.

Measure	KIPSINENDE	Country median	Country range
Elevation	2,361 m	1,989 m	821 to 2,790 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,056 mm	1,518 mm	754 to 2,070 mm
Mean daily high	20.5 °C	22.4 °C	16.8 to 30.2 °C
Mean overnight low	11.7 °C	12.0 °C	8.5 to 19.8 °C

Observed Climate at KIPSINENDE (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for KIPSINENDE’s coordinates recorded 1,056 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was August (193 mm) and the driest was February (2 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.5 °C and overnight lows 11.7 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,056 mm
Wettest month	August (193 mm)
Driest month	February (2 mm)
Mean daily high	20.5 °C
Mean overnight low	11.7 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is KIPSINENDE located?

KIPSINENDE is in Iten, Kenya, at coordinates 0.6732, 35.5083, at an elevation of about 2361 metres.

Who operates KIPSINENDE?

KIPSINENDE is operated by SISIBO TEA FACTORY, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does KIPSINENDE produce?

KIPSINENDE is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does KIPSINENDE supply?

Public supplier disclosures record KIPSINENDE as supplying Morrisons.

How much rain does KIPSINENDE receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,056 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in August (193 mm).

How does KIPSINENDE compare with estates at a similar elevation?

KIPSINENDE recorded 1,056 mm in 2025, 27% less rain than the 1,441 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.

Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].