In short: Kebirigo Tea Factory is a black tea estate in Nyamira, Kenya, operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency at an elevation of 1,977 metres.
Kebirigo Tea Factory is a black tea estate located in Nyamira, Kenya, at an elevation of 1,977 metres. It is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency, which manages smallholder tea factories across the country. No specific buyers are recorded in public supply-chain disclosures for this estate.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,977 metres above sea level, Kebirigo sits within the high-altitude tea-growing belt of Kenya's western highlands. Estates at this elevation typically experience cooler temperatures and a longer growing cycle than those at lower altitudes, conditions that tend to favour the development of complex flavour compounds in the leaf. Nyamira lies close to the equator, where year-round sunlight and bimodal rainfall generally support continuous plucking, though the intensity of growth often varies with the wet and dry seasons.
The volcanic soils common to much of Kenya's tea country are generally well-drained and rich in minerals, characteristics that tend to contribute to vigorous bush growth. Altitude and latitude together often shape a slower, more measured leaf development, which can be associated with greater concentration of polyphenols and amino acids in estates situated at comparable elevations.
Tea Produced
Kebirigo produces black tea. Estates in Nyamira at similar altitudes typically yield teas with bright, brisk liquors and a pronounced astringency. The cup character in this region often shows a balance of body and brightness, with notes that can range from malty to slightly floral, though individual factory processing and seasonal variation play significant roles in the final profile.
Operator
The Kenya Tea Development Agency operates Kebirigo Tea Factory and manages smallholder tea production across Kenya. The agency oversees a network of factories that process leaf from thousands of small-scale growers. Six other estates operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency are recorded in our directory, reflecting the organisation's role as one of the largest actors in Kenya's tea sector.
Certifications & Ethics
Kebirigo Tea Factory holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that works to improve labour and environmental standards in tea-growing regions. Membership requires estates to undergo regular audits against the ETP's code of conduct, covering issues such as working conditions, wages, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. For buyers, ETP certification offers a degree of assurance that social and environmental risks are being monitored and addressed on the ground.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kebirigo Tea Factory lies at -0.5669, 34.9341 in Nyamira, Kenya. Its 1977 m elevation is the 103rd highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- SANGANYI — 4.9 km away · Kebirigo
- MOGENI — 11 km away · IKONGE NYAMIRA COUNTY
- NYARINDA — 11 km away · IKONGE NYAMIRA COUNTY
- Kipkebe \u0026 Keritor Tea Estates — 12 km away · C22 Road
- Tombe Tea Factory — 12 km away · Nairobi
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kebirigo Tea Factory
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kebirigo Tea Factory (1,977 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kebirigo Tea Factory recorded 1,474 mm in 2025, 22% less than the 1,881 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savani Tea Estate | Savani Road, Kenya | 1,978 m | 1,693 mm | 22.6 °C |
| Chebut Kaptumo Tea Co Ltd. | Kisumu Road, Kenya | 1,979 m | 1,710 mm | 22.6 °C |
| Chokanad Tea Estate | Kannan Devan Hills, India | 1,972 m | 2,995 mm | 19.7 °C |
| Shagasha Tea Factory | Gisuma, Rwanda | 1,964 m | 1,875 mm | 21.2 °C |
| Mulindi Tea Factory | Mu Maya, Rwanda | 1,990 m | 1,131 mm | 22.2 °C |
Kebirigo Tea Factory Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, Kebirigo Tea Factory is drier than 52% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 55% of the others by elevation; warmer than 63% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kebirigo 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 | Kebirigo Tea Factory | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,977 m | 1,990 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,474 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 23.3 °C | 22.4 °C | 16.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.0 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.5 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Kebirigo Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kebirigo Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,474 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (210 mm) and the driest was February (26 mm). Daytime highs averaged 23.3 °C and overnight lows 13.0 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,474 mm |
| Wettest month | April (210 mm) |
| Driest month | February (26 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 23.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kebirigo Tea Factory located?
Kebirigo Tea Factory is in Nyamira, Kenya, at coordinates -0.5669, 34.9341, at an elevation of about 1977 metres.
Who operates Kebirigo Tea Factory?
Kebirigo Tea Factory is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kebirigo Tea Factory produce?
Kebirigo Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Kebirigo Tea Factory hold?
Kebirigo Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Kebirigo Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,474 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (210 mm).
How does Kebirigo Tea Factory compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kebirigo Tea Factory recorded 1,474 mm in 2025, 22% less rain than the 1,881 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].
