List of Licensed Tea Manufacturers in Kenya

Kenya stands as one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of tea. Known for its rich, flavorful black tea, the country has earned global recognition for producing some of the finest teas. The tea industry in Kenya is not only a major export driver but also a significant contributor to the country’s economy, providing jobs to millions of Kenyans across various sectors, including farming, manufacturing, and distribution.

The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), the regulatory body for the tea sector, ensures that all tea manufacturers in Kenya adhere to the necessary legal and operational standards. The manufacturers listed below are licensed to process, pack, and export tea, with operations ranging from small-scale factories to large multinational corporations. This article presents a comprehensive list of licensed tea manufacturers in Kenya, including KTDA-managed factories, large-scale manufacturers, medium-scale manufacturers, and specialty tea producers.

Categories of Tea Manufacturers in Kenya

Tea manufacturers in Kenya are categorized into four main types based on their scale of operations:

1. KTDA Managed Factories: These are small-scale tea factories managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) which provides services to smallholder farmers.
2. Large-Scale Manufacturers: These factories produce tea on a larger scale, typically owned by multinational companies.
3. Medium-Scale Manufacturers: These companies operate at a medium scale and often serve both local and international markets.
4. Specialty Tea Manufacturers: Focused on producing premium teas such as green tea, white tea, and specialty blends like purple tea, often catering to niche markets.

List of Licensed Tea Manufacturers in Kenya

A) KTDA Managed Factories

These factories are managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), which provides smallholder farmers with the opportunity to process and market their tea. Below is a list of KTDA-managed factories:

1. Chinga Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Othaya South, Nyeri
2. Boito Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Konoin, Bomet
3. Chebut Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kapsabet, Nandi
4. Chelal Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Roret, Litein, Bomet
5. Eberege Tea Factory Co. Ltd – South Mugirango, Kisii
6. Gacharage Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Mununga, Thika
7. Gachege Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Gatundu North, Thika
8. Gathuthi Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Nyeri
9. Gatunguru Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kagema, Kiriti, Murang’a
10. Gianchore Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Keera, Nyamira
11. Githambo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kahuro, Murang’a
12. Githongo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Meru Central
13. Gitugi Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Othaya, Mahiga, Nyeri
14. Igembe Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Maua, Meru North
15. Ikumbi Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Ikumbi, Thika
16. Imenti Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Nkubu, Meru
17. Iriaini Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Othaya, Iriaini North, Nyeri
18. Itumbe Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Gionsaria, Nyamache, Kisii
19. Kagwe Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Githunguri, Kiambu
20. Kambaa Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Githunguri, Thika
21. Kangaita Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kigumo, Kerugoya
22. Kanyenyaini Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kangema, Murang’a
23. Kapkatet Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Litein, Bomet
24. Kapkoros Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Sibaiyan, Litein, Bomet
25. Kapsara Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kitale, Trans Nzoia
26. Kapset Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kericho
27. Kaptumo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kapsabet, Nandi
28. Kathangariri Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Embu
29. Kebirigo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kebirigo, Nyamira
30. Kiamokama Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Gesusu, Keroka, Nyamira
31. Kiegoi Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Maua, Meru North
32. Kimunye Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kerugoya, Kirinyaga
33. Kinoro Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Imenti South, Meru
34. Kionyo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Nkubu, Meru
35. Kiru Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kiria-ini, Murang’a
36. Kobel Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kericho
37. Kuri/Ndarugu Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Gatundu, Thika
38. Litein Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Roret, Litein, Bomet
39. Makomboki Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Thika
40. Mataara Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Chania, Thika
41. Matunwa Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Nyansiogo, Kisii
42. Michimikuru Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Nyambane Hills, Tigania, Meru
43. Mogogosiek Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Boito, Konoin, Bomet
44. Momul Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Chemamul, Kericho
45. Motigo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Litein, Bomet
46. Mudete Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Mbale, Maragoli, Vihiga
47. Mungania Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kagaari North, Embu
48. Mununga Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kagumo, Kerugoya, Kirinyaga
49. Ndima Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Karatina, Nyeri
50. Nduti Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kangari, Murang’a
51. Ngere Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kariara, Thika
52. Njunu Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Thika
53. Nyamache Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Gionsaria, Nyamache, Kisii
54. Nyankoba Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Keroka, Kisii
55. Nyansiongo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kisii
56. Ogembo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Tender, Gucha, Kisii
57. Olunguruone Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Molo, Nakuru
58. Ragati Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kagochi, Karatina, Nyeri
59. Rianyamwamu Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Keroka, Kisii
60. Rorok Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Konoin, Kericho
61. Rukuriri Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Runyenjes, Embu
62. Sanganyi Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kebirigo, Kisii
63. Sombogo Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kisii
64. Tebesonik Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Litein, Bomet
65. Tegat Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Waldai, Kericho
66. Theta Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Gatundu, Thika
67. Thumaita Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kianyaga, Kirinyaga
68. Tirgaga Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Litein, Bomet
69. Tombe Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Central Kitutu, Kisii
70. Toror Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kericho
71. Weru Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Muthambi, Chuka, Meru

B) Large Scale Tea Manufacturers

Large-scale tea manufacturers have established brands and operate across several regions. Below are the large-scale tea manufacturers licensed by the Tea Board of Kenya:

1. Ekaterra Tea Kenya PLC – Kericho
2. Chagaik Tea Factory – Kericho
3. Jamji Tea Factory – Kericho
4. Kericho Tea Factory – Kericho
5. Kimari Tea Factory – Kericho
6. Kimugu Tea Factory – Kericho
7. Koruma Tea Factory – Kericho
8. Mabroukie Tea Factory – Kiambu
9. Tagabi Tea Factory – Kericho
10. Finlays Kenya Ltd – Kericho
11. Williamson Tea Kenya Ltd – Various Locations

C) Medium Scale Tea Manufacturers

Medium-scale tea manufacturers play a crucial role in the local tea market. Here are some notable medium-scale manufacturers:

1. Aldai Tea Factory Ltd – Nairobi
2. Chebango EPZ Tea Co. Ltd – Bomet
3. Chemalal Tea Factory Ltd – Nairobi
4. Chemusian Tea Estates Ltd – Nakuru
5. Emom Tea Estate – Belion Tea Factory Ltd – Nairobi
6. Emrok Tea Factory (EPZ) Ltd – Nandi
7. Ernestea Limited – Nairobi
8. Greenfields Tea Factory – Kitale
9. Kabianga Tea Factory Ltd – Kericho
10. Kapchebet Tea Factory Ltd – Kericho

D) Specialty Tea Manufacturers

Specialty tea manufacturers focus on premium, non-traditional tea types such as green, white, and purple teas. Some examples include:

1. Bureti Tea Company Limited – Bureti
2. Central Highlands Tea Company Ltd – Murang’a
3. Chai Imara Purple Tea – Nandi
4. Chepkumia Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Nandi
5. Chinga Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Kagicha Othaya South
6. Evergreen Tea Factory – Kericho
7. Gitugi Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Othaya – Mahiga
8. Horera Forest Edge Tea Co. Ltd – Nyeri
9. Imenti Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Meru
10. Itumbe Tea Factory Co. Ltd – Nyamache

Conclusion

Kenya’s tea manufacturing industry is a significant part of the country’s economy, with a mix of KTDA-managed, large-scale, medium, and specialty tea producers. The government, through the Tea Board of Kenya, ensures that all manufacturers adhere to quality standards and export regulations. This not only guarantees the quality of Kenyan tea but also strengthens the country’s position as a leading global tea exporter.

For more information on the licensed tea manufacturers, you can reach out to the Tea Board of Kenya. They continue to promote and regulate the tea sector, fostering growth and ensuring Kenya’s tea remains among the finest in the world.