In short: Motigo is a Kenyan black tea estate located on Moi Avenue at 1,670 metres altitude, operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency.
Motigo is a tea estate situated on Moi Avenue in Kenya, lying at an altitude of 1,670 metres. The estate is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the parastatal body responsible for coordinating smallholder tea production across Kenya. Motigo produces black tea, the dominant category within Kenya's export-oriented tea sector.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,670 metres above sea level and positioned just south of the equator, Motigo occupies a mid-altitude zone that typically experiences year-round growing conditions, with diurnal temperature variation moderating the pace of shoot development. Estates at this elevation in Kenya generally benefit from well-distributed rainfall and warm days followed by cooler nights, factors that tend to support steady flush cycles and the accumulation of polyphenols in the leaf.
The central Kenyan highlands, where this estate is located, are characterised by red volcanic soils that typically offer good drainage and nutrient retention. These conditions generally favour vigorous vegetative growth and the production of leaf with robust biochemical profiles, though specific cultivar selection and field management practices vary widely across the region.
Tea Produced
Black teas from estates at this altitude in Kenya tend to yield brisk, full-bodied liquors with pronounced astringency and a coppery brightness in the cup. The mid-elevation profile generally supports teas suited to blending, often contributing colour, strength and a clean, malty character. While individual factory protocols and seasonal variation influence final cup quality, the region's teas are typically processed as CTC (cut, tear, curl) grades destined for tea-bag blends and value segments of the international market.
Operator
The Kenya Tea Development Agency manages smallholder tea production across Kenya, coordinating leaf collection, factory processing and auction sales on behalf of hundreds of thousands of small-scale growers. KTDA operates six other estates recorded in our directory, making it one of the most significant institutional players in Kenyan tea. The agency's model combines decentralised cultivation with centralised processing and marketing infrastructure, a structure that has underpinned Kenya's position as one of the world's leading black tea exporters.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
MOTIGO lies at -1.2868, 36.8269 in Moi Avenue, Kenya. Its 1670 m elevation is the joint 2nd highest of 12 estates we map in Moi Avenue. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- GIANCHORE — under 1 km away
- GITHAMBO — under 1 km away
- GITHONGO — under 1 km away
- KIRU — under 1 km away
- LITEIN — under 1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to MOTIGO
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match MOTIGO (1,670 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. MOTIGO recorded 769 mm in 2025, 64% less than the 2,130 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAIMOSI | Kaimosi, Kenya | 1,665 m | 1,764 mm | 24.5 °C |
| Himalayan Shangri-La | Mechi Hwy, Nepal | 1,661 m | 2,238 mm | 18.2 °C |
| Njeru Tea Factory | Meru-Nairobi Highway, Kenya | 1,657 m | 890 mm | 22.8 °C |
| 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 |
MOTIGO Compared with Moi Avenue
In Moi Avenue, MOTIGO is the driest of the 12 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 91% of the others by elevation; cooler than 82% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets MOTIGO against the 11 other estates we map in Moi Avenue, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | MOTIGO | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,670 m | 1,670 m | 1,632 to 1,922 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 769 mm | 769 mm | 769 to 1,984 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.5 °C | 25.5 °C | 21.8 to 25.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C | 14.8 °C | 11.8 to 14.8 °C |
Observed Climate at MOTIGO (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for MOTIGO’s coordinates recorded 769 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (140 mm) and the driest was February (8 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.5 °C and overnight lows 14.8 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 769 mm |
| Wettest month | May (140 mm) |
| Driest month | February (8 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is MOTIGO located?
MOTIGO is in Moi Avenue, Kenya, at coordinates -1.2868, 36.8269, at an elevation of about 1670 metres.
Who operates MOTIGO?
MOTIGO is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does MOTIGO produce?
MOTIGO is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does MOTIGO receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 769 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (140 mm).
How does MOTIGO compare with estates at a similar elevation?
MOTIGO recorded 769 mm in 2025, 64% less rain than the 2,130 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].
