Rooted in Heritage, Growing with Purpose

Thumaita Tea Factory traces its roots to November 1975, when it was established to provide a dedicated tea-processing facility for smallholder tea farmers in the fertile tea-growing region of Kirinyaga County. Located in Karumandi, Gichugu Sub-County, on the southern slopes of Mount Kenya, the factory was established as part of the development of Kenya’s smallholder tea industry under the management of the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA). Historical records identify Thumaita among the KTDA-managed factories developed during this period, with the factory commencing operations in November 1975 at an initial processing capacity of approximately 1.2 million kilograms of green leaf annually.

From its beginnings, Thumaita was built around an important principle: creating a reliable link between smallholder tea farmers and quality tea processing. The factory began with fewer than 1,000 tea growers and has since grown into an important part of the local tea-growing economy. Today, the factory serves 12,305 registered smallholder tea growers, whose farms collectively cover approximately 2,142.59 hectares and are estimated to contain more than 15 million tea bushes. This growth reflects not only the expansion of tea farming in the area but also the enduring relationship between the factory and the farmers who supply its green leaf.

The location of Thumaita has played a significant role in the character and quality of its tea. The factory sits at an altitude of approximately 5,500 feet above sea level, between River Thiba and River Kamweti, and approximately five kilometres from Kamweti Forest. The area benefits from deep red volcanic soils, annual rainfall of about 1,800 mm, temperatures ranging between approximately 15°C and 22°C, and relative humidity of between 72% and 76%. These favourable natural conditions provide an excellent environment for growing high-quality tea and have helped establish the region as an important tea-growing area.

Over the years, Thumaita Tea Factory has continued to develop its processing capabilities in response to the growing volumes of green leaf delivered by its farmers. From its original capacity of approximately 1.2 million kilograms per year, the factory has expanded significantly and now has an installed processing capacity of approximately 25 million kilograms of green leaf annually, with peak daily green-leaf intake reaching approximately 140,000 kilograms. This growth represents decades of investment, operational development and the continued confidence of the smallholder farmers who form the foundation of the factory.

Thumaita’s journey has also evolved alongside changes in Kenya’s tea industry. While conventional tea processing remains an important part of its operations, the factory has embraced opportunities for value addition and product diversification, including the production of orthodox tea. Public reporting in 2023 noted that Thumaita had begun producing orthodox tea as part of efforts to pursue higher-value tea products and improve returns for farmers.

Today, Thumaita Tea Factory stands as more than a tea-processing facility. It is a centre of economic activity and a vital link connecting thousands of smallholder farmers to the wider tea market. Its story is one of growth, resilience, partnership and continuous improvement—from a factory serving fewer than a thousand growers in the 1970s to an established tea-processing operation supporting more than twelve thousand growers today.

As Thumaita looks to the future, its history continues to shape its direction. The factory remains committed to quality tea production, responsible operations, farmer empowerment, environmental stewardship and sustainable growth. Building on more than five decades of experience, Thumaita Tea Factory continues to honour the work of the generations of farmers and employees who have contributed to its journey while positioning itself to create even greater value for the tea-growing community and customers in the years ahead.