In short: Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo is a black tea estate in Kisii, Kenya, operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency and known to supply Finlays.
Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo is a black tea estate located in the Kisii region of Kenya, at an elevation of 1,684 metres. The estate is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency, the smallholder-owned organisation that manages much of Kenya's tea production through a network of factories serving outgrower groups. Sombogo is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the established tea and beverage service companies with a significant presence in Kenya's supply chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,684 metres elevation and situated just south of the equator in Kisii, Sombogo occupies a high-altitude growing zone typical of Kenya's western tea belt. Estates at this elevation generally benefit from moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall distributed across much of the year, conditions that tend to support steady vegetative growth and the accumulation of polyphenols and amino acids in the leaf. The diurnal temperature variation common at this altitude often slows the growth cycle, which can contribute to more concentrated flavour compounds.
The Kisii region lies within the broader Kenyan highlands, an area characterised by volcanic soils and relatively high humidity. These conditions typically favour continuous plucking cycles and the production of brisk, well-structured black teas. Estates in this latitude and altitude band tend to produce leaf year-round, though quality and yield often fluctuate with the long and short rains that define the regional growing calendar.
Tea Produced
Sombogo produces black tea, the dominant style across Kenya's smallholder and estate sectors. Teas from the Kisii region at this elevation typically yield a bright, coppery infusion with a brisk, malty character and moderate astringency. The cup profile of high-altitude Kenyan blacks often features a clean, robust body well suited to blending, with a balance of strength and brightness that appeals to both packet tea manufacturers and buyers seeking dependable CTC or orthodox grades for international markets.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Sombogo is recorded as supplying Finlays, a company with deep operational and sourcing ties across Kenya's tea sector. This relationship positions the estate within an established commercial channel, likely feeding into blends and branded products distributed across multiple international markets. Finlays' presence as a buyer suggests that Sombogo's output meets the consistency and volume expectations of a large-scale supply chain, typical of KTDA factories that aggregate leaf from smallholder outgrowers and process to specification for export or domestic blending.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The Kenya Tea Development Agency operates Sombogo alongside six other estates recorded in this directory, reflecting its role as the largest manager of smallholder tea production in Kenya. KTDA oversees a network of factories that process leaf from thousands of small-scale growers, providing agronomic support, factory infrastructure, and access to auction and direct-sale markets. The agency's model centres on farmer ownership and profit-sharing, distinguishing it from private estate operators and positioning its factories as critical nodes in Kenya's position as one of the world's leading black tea exporters.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo lies at -0.6773, 34.7796 in Kisii, Kenya. Its 1684 m elevation is the joint 5th highest of 7 estates we map in Kisii. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- NYAMACHE — under 1 km away
- Kenya Tea Development Agency, Nyansiongo — under 1 km away
- OGEMBO (EBEREGE) — 1.3 km away
- Kenya Tea Development Agency, Rianyamwamu — 5.8 km away
- Tombe Tea Factory — 11 km away · Nairobi
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo (1,684 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo recorded 1,586 mm in 2025, 17% less than the 1,907 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rancabali Tea Estate | Bandung Regency, Indonesia | 1,686 m | 2,986 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Chokanad I | Kerala, India | 1,691 m | 2,773 mm | 21.1 °C |
| Theta Ndarugu Tea Co Ltd. | Kenya, Kenya | 1,670 m | 769 mm | 25.5 °C |
| GIANCHORE | Moi Avenue, Kenya | 1,670 m | 769 mm | 25.5 °C |
| Himalayan Shangri-La | Mechi Hwy, Nepal | 1,661 m | 2,238 mm | 18.2 °C |
Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo Compared with Kisii
In Kisii, Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo is wetter than 67% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 83% of the others by elevation; warmer than 67% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo against the 6 other estates we map in Kisii, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,684 m | 1,752 m | 1,652 to 1,890 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,586 mm | 1,510 mm | 1,370 to 1,586 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.8 °C | 24.2 °C | 23.8 to 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.9 °C | 14.0 °C | 13.2 to 15.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo’s coordinates recorded 1,586 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (275 mm) and the driest was February (22 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.8 °C and overnight lows 14.9 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,586 mm |
| Wettest month | April (275 mm) |
| Driest month | February (22 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo located?
Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo is in Kisii, Kenya, at coordinates -0.6773, 34.7796, at an elevation of about 1684 metres.
Who operates Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo?
Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo produce?
Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,586 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (275 mm).
How does Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo recorded 1,586 mm in 2025, 17% less rain than the 1,907 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].