In short: Gatunguru is a black tea estate in Mathioya, Kenya, operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency at 1,961 metres elevation.
Gatunguru is a tea estate located in Mathioya, a sub-county in Murang'a County in Kenya's central highlands. Situated at 1,961 metres above sea level, the estate is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the parastatal organisation that manages smallholder tea production across much of Kenya. The estate produces black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,961 metres elevation and positioned just south of the equator, Gatunguru occupies a high-altitude growing environment typical of Kenya's central highlands. Estates at this elevation generally experience cooler temperatures and significant diurnal variation, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can contribute to the development of flavour precursors in the fresh leaf.
The Mathioya sub-region lies within the broader Central Highlands tea zone, where volcanic soils and well-distributed rainfall typically support year-round cultivation. High-altitude equatorial estates often benefit from consistent daylight hours and the moderating influence of altitude on temperature extremes, factors that generally favour steady vegetative growth and the production of leaf suited to processed black tea.
Tea Produced
Gatunguru produces black tea. Kenyan high-altitude estates in the central highlands typically yield teas characterised by briskness, body and pronounced astringency, often with bright coppery liquors. The elevation and processing traditions of the region generally favour CTC production destined for blending markets, though the specific processing methods and final cup profile at Gatunguru have not been independently verified in available records.
Operator
The Kenya Tea Development Agency manages tea production on behalf of smallholder farmers across Kenya, operating a network of factories that process leaf grown by outgrowers. KTDA oversees six other estates recorded in this directory, making it one of the most significant operators in Kenya's tea sector. The agency model typically involves farmers delivering fresh leaf to centralised processing facilities, with the estate operator handling manufacturing and marketing on a collective basis.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
GATUNGURU lies at -0.6388, 36.9006 in Mathioya, Kenya. Its 1961 m elevation is the 106th highest of 187 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Chinga Tea Factory — 4.0 km away · Othaya
- KANYENYAINI — 4.8 km away · KANGEMA
- Kanyenya-Ini Tea Factory Company Ltd — 9.2 km away · KANGEMA
- GITUGI — 11 km away · Othaya
- Iriaini Tea Factory Company Ltd — 11 km away · OTHAYA
Estates at a Similar Altitude to GATUNGURU
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match GATUNGURU (1,961 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. GATUNGURU recorded 1,518 mm in 2025, 10% less than the 1,687 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Estate | Coonoor, India | 1,961 m | 1,459 mm | 19.7 °C |
| Concordia Tea Estate | Kandapola, Sri Lanka | 1,962 m | 2,796 mm | 18.9 °C |
| KIBWELE | Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,963 m | 1,215 mm | 19.4 °C |
| Shagasha Tea Factory | Gisuma, Rwanda | 1,964 m | 1,875 mm | 21.2 °C |
| Kymulot Factory | Bomet - Tenwek - Silibwet Rd, Kenya | 1,967 m | 1,088 mm | 23.3 °C |
GATUNGURU Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, GATUNGURU is drier than 51% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 56% of the others by elevation; cooler than 88% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets GATUNGURU against the 186 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | GATUNGURU | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,961 m | 1,992 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,518 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 20.9 °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 GATUNGURU (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for GATUNGURU’s coordinates recorded 1,518 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (225 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.9 °C and overnight lows 12.5 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,518 mm |
| Wettest month | October (225 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 20.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is GATUNGURU located?
GATUNGURU is in Mathioya, Kenya, at coordinates -0.6388, 36.9006, at an elevation of about 1961 metres.
Who operates GATUNGURU?
GATUNGURU is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does GATUNGURU produce?
GATUNGURU is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does GATUNGURU receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,518 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (225 mm).
How does GATUNGURU compare with estates at a similar elevation?
GATUNGURU recorded 1,518 mm in 2025, 10% less rain than the 1,687 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].