Synopsis
The Corporation commenced construction of its 2nd tea processing factory at Gatitu in Kirinyaga County in June, 2016. The factory project in the East of Rift was mooted to replicate the successful Kipchabo Tea Factory in Nandi County which processes tea from the Corporation’s plantations in the East of Rift.
The Ground-breaking ceremony for construction of Gatitu Tea Factory was officiated by H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto. Civil works and other developments related to the project have been ongoing since then.
The main objective of the Gatitu Factory project is to maximize the Corporation’s returns from green leaf while avoiding post-harvest losses which occur during flush periods. In addition, the factory contributes to development of infrastructure such as roads and electricity. It also has major impact on tea production in the area as farmers boost production because of easy access to the factory.
Gatitu factory is a three-line factory. The 1st line with an annual capacity of about 7 million Kgs of green leaf processes the Corporation’s tea from the catchment zones of Kirinyaga, Embu, Mathira and Meru South which have a combined hectarage of 675 ha.
The second and third line processes tea from over 3,000 out growers in the catchment zones. The Factory dedicates 60% of its processing to value addition by processing specialty and orthodox teas which fetch better prices in the markets.
Gatitu Tea Factory has created at least 100 direct employment opportunities to the youths in its locality and sustain livelihoods to over 5,000 casual workers in the catchment zones. The factory also creates business opportunities for supply of various goods and services.
