Kenya

Kii

The small region in Kirinyaga that the Kii mill serves, surrounding the village of Ngariama, is mainly a tea-growing area, so most of the coffee plant stock is rather new. The region is known for very high quality of both tea and coffee; being planted somewhat later than neighbouring regions means soils haven’t been tired out by years of conventional agriculture, with its sprays and chemical fertiliser. We visited the region in January 2021, witnessing the density of both coffee and tea plantation in the lush green landscape.

North Eastern Kirinyaga is home to some of our favourite Kenyan coffees; Kii is run by the Rungeto Farmer’s Cooperative Society, who also own the Karimikui and Kiangoi mills, where we have purchased several lots in the past. Also near to Ngariama are Gakuyuini, where we have secured a lot for later in the season, and the new Long Miles project, where we have purchased a great deal of coffee this year. Much of the area was planted with coffee just before the rise of hybrid varietals in Kenya, which means that 99% of the farmers that deliver to Kii grow SL28 and SL34, with only about 1% using rust-resistant varietals like Ruiru 11 or Batian