Origin: Kenya, Kirinyaga
Elevation: 1500 M.A.S.L.
Varietal: SL28, SL34, Ruiru11, Batian
Process: Washed
Harvest: June 2022
Producer: Kegwa Coffee Factory (smallholder farmers)

Profile: Honeysuckle & Red Currant, Syrupy & Bright

Kegwa Coffee Factory is located in the Central Province, Kirinyaga County in Njukiini location of Gichugu Division, near Kianyaga town. It was established in the 1960s and rests on a 3 acre piece of land serving Kegwa, Mwiboini, Cieni, and Kithiga A & B Villages and it is currently affiliated to Ngiriambu Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. Its membership currently stands at 1400, of which 1000 are active farmers, while 400 are inactive. The most unique aspect of this factory is that it’s located near Mbiri Market.

The factory lies at about 1500 M.A.S.L. and the area experiences moderate bimodal rainfall of about 1200mm p.a. with temperatures ranging between 13-25°C. The long rains fall between March-May while the short rains come between October and December.

After harvesting, all the coffee is delivered to the factory and undergoes the wet processing method. Water is pumped from the River Nyamindi to the reservoir tanks for pulping and recirculation. After pulping, the coffee is stored overnight, washed, soaked and spread on the drying tables. The parchment is then frequently turned on the drying tables, sorted and stored awaiting delivery to the millers who are also the marketing agent. To ensure that the processing is carried out efficiently the factory has invested in a pulper, a recirculation system and about 8 conditioning bins.

In line with the rising awareness on the need to conserve the environment, the factory has dug the waste water soak pits away from the water source where the waste water is allowed to soak in back to the soil.

Kegwa Coffee Factory is run by a station manager who oversees all activities within the factory. Together with other staff members they carry out duties such as weighing coffee, selection and grading of coffee, paying farmers and addressing farmers’ complaints.