In short: Kimunye Tea Factory is a black tea producer in the Kimunye region of Kenya, operating at 1,779 metres under the management of Kenya Tea Development Agency.
Kimunye Tea Factory is a black tea producer located in the Kimunye region of Kenya, operating at an elevation of 1,779 metres. The factory is managed by Kenya Tea Development Agency, a cooperative organisation that aggregates leaf from smallholder growers and processes it under a shared factory model. No specific corporate buyers are recorded in public supply-chain data for this facility.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,779 metres above sea level and positioned almost exactly on the equator, Kimunye sits within the mid-altitude band that characterises much of Kenya's smallholder tea belt. Estates at this elevation typically experience moderate diurnal temperature variation and consistent rainfall distributed across two main seasons, conditions that tend to support steady vegetative growth and regular plucking cycles throughout much of the year.
The equatorial latitude generally allows for year-round production, though the quality and character of leaf can vary with the intensity of the rains and the length of dry spells. Mid-altitude sites in this part of Kenya often yield leaf with good body and colour, though the specific soil composition, shade cover, and agronomic practices across the smallholder plots feeding a given factory all play a role in determining the final cup profile.
Tea Produced
Kimunye produces black tea, the dominant style across Kenya's smallholder sector. Teas from mid-altitude Kenyan factories typically exhibit brisk, coppery liquor with a straightforward malty character and moderate astringency. The CTC manufacture common in this supply chain tends to favour strength and colour over aromatic complexity, making the output well suited to blending for everyday tea bags and for markets where body and briskness are prioritised over nuance.
Operator
Kenya Tea Development Agency operates a network of smallholder tea factories across the country, acting as the processing and marketing arm for thousands of independent growers. The agency manages six other estates recorded in this directory, reflecting the scale and geographic spread of the KTDA cooperative model. This structure allows small-scale farmers to access centralised processing, quality control, and auction marketing that would be uneconomical to replicate at the individual farm level.
Certifications & Ethics
Kimunye Tea Factory holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that works to improve labour conditions, environmental practices, and social standards across tea-growing regions. For buyers, ETP membership signals a baseline commitment to monitored improvement in areas such as worker welfare, occupational health and safety, and responsible pesticide use. The certification involves regular independent audits and collaborative action plans between producers and the scheme's field teams.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kimunye Tea Factory lies at -0.4342, 37.3092 in Kimunye, Kenya. Its 1779 m elevation is the 144th highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Thumaita — 8.0 km away · Kenya
- KANGAITA — 10 km away · Moi Avenue
- MUNUNGA — 11 km away · Kerugoya
- NDIMA — 15 km away · Mathira West
- Kathangariri Tea Estate — 16 km away · Mugurumari - Kathangariri Rd
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kimunye Tea Factory
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kimunye Tea Factory (1,779 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kimunye Tea Factory recorded 1,178 mm in 2025, 18% less than the 1,437 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilkotagiri | Tamil Nadu, India | 1,780 m | 1,459 mm | 20.9 °C |
| MOGENI | IKONGE NYAMIRA COUNTY, Kenya | 1,778 m | 1,351 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Kanyenya-Ini Tea Factory Company Ltd | KANGEMA, Kenya | 1,775 m | 1,161 mm | 23.0 °C |
| Jun Chiyabari Tea Garden | Dhankuta Municipality Ward No 1, Nepal | 1,786 m | 2,160 mm | 19.4 °C |
| Dl Teas Tanzania, Kibena Tea Factory- Njombe | Ninga, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,770 m | 1,053 mm | 21.6 °C |
Kimunye Tea Factory Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, Kimunye Tea Factory is drier than 70% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 77% of the others by elevation; cooler than 86% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kimunye Tea Factory against the 185 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Kimunye Tea Factory | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,779 m | 1,990 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,178 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.4 °C | 22.4 °C | 16.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.3 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.5 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Kimunye Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kimunye Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,178 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (167 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.4 °C and overnight lows 12.3 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,178 mm |
| Wettest month | May (167 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kimunye Tea Factory located?
Kimunye Tea Factory is in Kimunye, Kenya, at coordinates -0.4342, 37.3092, at an elevation of about 1779 metres.
Who operates Kimunye Tea Factory?
Kimunye Tea Factory is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kimunye Tea Factory produce?
Kimunye Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Kimunye Tea Factory hold?
Kimunye Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Kimunye Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,178 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (167 mm).
How does Kimunye Tea Factory compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kimunye Tea Factory recorded 1,178 mm in 2025, 18% less rain than the 1,437 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].
