Region and Environment
Kiaguthu Factory is located in Othaya, Nyeri County, on the southern slopes of Mount Kenya. The area is known for its high elevation, cool climate, and red volcanic soils that support slow cherry maturation. These conditions contribute to dense coffee cherries and are a key reason coffees from Nyeri are consistently regarded for quality and structure.
Cooperative and Factory Structure
Kiaguthu is a factory within the Othaya Farmers’ Co operative Society. In the Kenyan system, a factory functions as a central wet mill where smallholder farmers deliver freshly harvested cherry for processing. Kiaguthu was established in the 1960s and serves farmers from the surrounding area, each typically managing small plots of land. The cooperative structure allows farmers to pool resources, maintain processing standards, and access export markets collectively.
Farming and Producer Base
The coffee processed at Kiaguthu comes from smallholder farmers whose average farm size is under one hectare. Farming systems in the area are mixed, with coffee often grown alongside food crops and livestock. This diversified approach helps support household income while maintaining long term soil health and farm resilience.
Processing Method
This coffee is produced using a fully washed process at the Kiaguthu factory. Ripe cherries are delivered to the wet mill, carefully sorted, and pulped. The parchment is then soaked in tanks for about 24 hours to remove remaining mucilage before being washed through channels. Drying takes place on raised beds in open sun for approximately 14 to 21 days until the coffee reaches stable moisture levels.
Quality Support and Export Pathway
Kiaguthu operates within a broader cooperative framework that supports farmers through environmental initiatives, training, and infrastructure. The coffee is marketed through a cooperative owned export organization established to give smallholders greater access to international buyers and improved price transparency. This structure connects farm level production with consistent quality control and global specialty markets.
