In short: Kijani (also known as Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is a black tea estate in Kericho, Kenya, at 2,010 metres, operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
Kijani—also referred to as Chomogonday or Kymulot Tea—is a black tea estate in the Kericho region of Kenya, operating at an altitude of 2,010 metres. The estate is managed by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, one of the country's established tea operators, and is recorded as a supplier to the UK supermarket chain Morrisons.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,010 metres above sea level, Kijani occupies high-altitude terrain characteristic of the Kericho region, where the equatorial latitude and elevation combine to create conditions that typically favour steady vegetative growth. Estates at this altitude in Kenya generally experience cooler temperatures and significant diurnal variation, factors which tend to slow leaf maturation and encourage the accumulation of polyphenols and other compounds that contribute to the briskness and colour associated with high-grown Kenyan teas.
The Kericho highlands receive reliable rainfall distributed across two main seasons, and the volcanic soils common to this part of the Rift Valley are generally well-drained and rich in minerals. These conditions typically support year-round plucking with peaks during the wetter months, though the interplay of cloud cover, altitude, and temperature means that leaf chemistry can vary across the calendar. Estates in this elevation band often produce teas with pronounced brightness and body, attributes that have contributed to the region's reputation in the commodity and branded black tea markets.
Tea Produced
Kijani produces black tea, and the estate's altitude and location in Kericho suggest a profile consistent with the region's typical output: brisk, full-bodied liquors with good colour and a clean, astringent character. Teas from high-grown Kenyan estates generally display a bright coppery infusion and a malty or slightly grassy note, qualities that lend themselves well to blending for both retail teabags and food-service applications. The elevation at which Kijani operates tends to support teas with structure and strength, though specific flavour nuances will vary with season, processing, and leaf grade.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kijani is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within the supply chain of a retailer with significant volume requirements and established sourcing standards, indicating that its output meets the specifications for own-label or branded tea products distributed through a large-scale grocery network. The presence of a named UK buyer suggests that Kijani's teas are marketed through traceable channels, a feature increasingly valued in retail procurement.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
James Finlay Kenya Ltd operates Kijani and is responsible for six other estates recorded in our directory. The company has a long-standing presence in Kenyan tea production and manages a diversified portfolio of estates across the country's key growing regions. As part of a multi-estate operation, Kijani benefits from the operator's infrastructure, processing expertise, and established relationships with international buyers, while contributing to the scale and consistency that large tea operators rely upon in the global market.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) lies at -0.3689, 35.2863 in Kericho, Kenya. Its 2010 m elevation is the joint 7th highest of 44 estates we map in Kericho. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Changana (Changana Tea) — under 1 km away · Kenya
- Kitumbe (Kitumbe Tea) — under 1 km away · Kenya
- BONDET (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) — under 1 km away
- Bureti Tea Company Ltd, Kalyet Tea Factory — under 1 km away
- CHEBOSWA — under 1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) (2,010 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) recorded 1,984 mm in 2025, 14% more than the 1,737 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea Studio | Kattabettu, India | 2,010 m | 1,405 mm | 19.9 °C |
| Nyankoba Tea Factory | Kenya, Kenya | 2,012 m | 754 mm | 24.1 °C |
| Marybong Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 2,016 m | 2,294 mm | 17.7 °C |
| GACHEGE | Kenya, Kenya | 2,003 m | 1,455 mm | 19.8 °C |
| Hubei Wuhan Jiarun Huiming Tea Co., Ltd. | Yongde County, China | 2,002 m | 2,779 mm | 19.9 °C |
Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) Compared with Kericho
In Kericho, Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is drier than 81% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 93% of the others by elevation; cooler than 91% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) against the 43 other estates we map in Kericho, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,010 m | 2,010 m | 1,836 to 2,437 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,984 mm | 1,984 mm | 1,021 to 1,984 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.4 °C | 22.4 °C | 20.5 to 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.8 °C | 11.8 °C | 9.7 to 12.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)’s coordinates recorded 1,984 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (286 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.4 °C and overnight lows 11.8 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,984 mm |
| Wettest month | October (286 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) located?
Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is in Kericho, Kenya, at coordinates -0.3689, 35.2863, at an elevation of about 2010 metres.
Who operates Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)?
Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) produce?
Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,984 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (286 mm).
How does Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kijani (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) recorded 1,984 mm in 2025, 14% more rain than the 1,737 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].