In short: Konoito is a black tea estate in Litein, Kenya, operated by Kipsigis Highland Multipurpose Co-Operative Society and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
Konoito is a tea estate situated in the Litein region of Kenya, at an elevation of 1,937 metres. The estate is operated by Kipsigis Highland Multipurpose Co-Operative Society and is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,937 metres above sea level, Konoito occupies a high-altitude site in Kenya's western highlands. Estates at this elevation typically experience cooler temperatures and diurnal variation that tends to slow vegetative growth, often contributing to greater accumulation of flavour compounds in the leaf. The estate's location just south of the equator means daylight hours remain relatively stable year-round, though rainfall patterns generally shape distinct growing and dormant periods.
Litein lies in a part of the Rift Valley highlands where volcanic soils are common, and estates in this belt often benefit from the drainage and mineral content such geology provides. The altitude and latitude together tend to favour a growing environment in which flush cycles are influenced more by precipitation than by temperature, a pattern typical of equatorial high-elevation tea districts.
Tea Produced
Konoito produces black tea. Kenyan black teas from estates at comparable elevations in the western highlands are typically processed as cut, tear, curl (CTC) styles, though some orthodox leaf is also produced in the region. The cup character of high-grown Kenyan tea generally offers brisk, coppery liquor with good body and a clean, malty backbone, well suited to blending and to breakfast-style infusions. Estates in this altitude range often yield teas with bright, assertive profiles rather than the more delicate or aromatic notes associated with lower, warmer sites.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Konoito is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within the supply chain of a high-volume retailer that sources tea for own-brand and everyday black tea products. Supplying a well-established British grocer suggests that Konoito's output meets the quality, consistency and traceability standards expected by large-scale buyers in the UK market, where Kenyan tea has long been a staple blending component.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
The estate is operated by Kipsigis Highland Multipurpose Co-Operative Society, a co-operative structure that typically represents smallholder growers in the area. Co-operative models in Kenya's tea sector generally aggregate leaf from member farmers, manage processing, and negotiate sales collectively, providing smallholders access to markets and services that would be difficult to reach individually. No other estates operated by this co-operative are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
KONOITO lies at -0.5826, 35.1901 in LITEIN, Kenya. Its 1937 m elevation is the joint 112th highest of 187 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- TEA-MAX FRESH — under 1 km away
- Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. — under 1 km away · C23
- Kapset Tea Factory — 5.5 km away · Chepseon Boito-Kapset Rd Kipkelion
- Evergreen Tea Factory Ltd (Egtf), Manaret — 6.7 km away · Bomet
- Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei — 8.9 km away · Kericho
Estates at a Similar Altitude to KONOITO
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match KONOITO (1,937 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. KONOITO recorded 1,208 mm in 2025, 43% less than the 2,122 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Valley Tea Estate | Darjeeling, India | 1,936 m | 2,294 mm | 18.0 °C |
| Thiashola Tea Estate | Tamil Nadu, India | 1,941 m | 2,112 mm | 19.9 °C |
| Ikumbi Tea Factory | Kaharati-kangari Rd, Kenya | 1,950 m | 1,398 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Udapussellawa Plantations, Court Lodge | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,924 m | 2,798 mm | 19.1 °C |
| Gisakura Tea Estate | West, Rwanda | 1,953 m | 2,008 mm | 21.1 °C |
KONOITO Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, KONOITO is drier than 70% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 61% of the others by elevation; warmer than 76% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets KONOITO against the 186 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | KONOITO | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,937 m | 1,992 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,208 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.5 °C | 22.4 °C | 16.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.5 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at KONOITO (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for KONOITO’s coordinates recorded 1,208 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (186 mm) and the driest was February (21 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.5 °C and overnight lows 12.5 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,208 mm |
| Wettest month | April (186 mm) |
| Driest month | February (21 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is KONOITO located?
KONOITO is in LITEIN, Kenya, at coordinates -0.5826, 35.1901, at an elevation of about 1937 metres.
Who operates KONOITO?
KONOITO is operated by Kipsigis Highland Multipurpose Co-Operative Society, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does KONOITO produce?
KONOITO is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does KONOITO supply?
Public supplier disclosures record KONOITO as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does KONOITO receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,208 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (186 mm).
How does KONOITO compare with estates at a similar elevation?
KONOITO recorded 1,208 mm in 2025, 43% less rain than the 2,122 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].