Gatitu Tea Factory

The Corporation commenced construction of its 2^nd 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 West 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 will contribute to development of infrastructure such as roads and electricity. It will also have major impact on tea production in the area as farmers are expected to boost production because of easy access to the factory.

Gatitu factory will be a two line factory. The 1^st line with an annual capacity of about 7 million Kgs of green leaf will process 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 line will process tea from over 3,000 outgrowers in the catchment zones. The Factory will dedicate 60% of its processing to value addition by processing specialty and orthodox teas which fetch better prices in the markets.

When completed, Gatitu Tea Factory is expected to create 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 will also create business opportunities for supply of various goods and services.

The factory is expected to be start tea processing in 2018.

Gatitu Tea Factory is a Vision 2030 Flagship Project.

• NTZDC Managing Director Peter Korir (in white cap) welcomes H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto to Gatitu Factory site. NTZDC Managing Director Peter Korir (in white cap) welcomes H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto to Gatitu Factory site.
• His Excellency Hon. William Ruto is shown the factory dummy factory model by Arc. Malinson Koech as NTZDC MD, Board Chairman and other dignitaries look on. His Excellency Hon. William Ruto is shown the factory dummy factory model by Arc. Malinson Koech as NTZDC MD, Board Chairman and other dignitaries look on.
• Deputy President Hon. William Ruto unveils the commemorative plaque as NTZDC Managing Director Peter Korir looks on. Deputy President Hon. William Ruto unveils the commemorative plaque as NTZDC Managing Director Peter Korir looks on.
• H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto plants a tree at the Gatitu Factory site. H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto plants a tree at the Gatitu Factory site.
• NTZDC Board of Directors waiting to receive H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto at the Gatitu Factory site. NTZDC Board of Directors waiting to receive H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto at the Gatitu Factory site.
• H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto addresses wananchi at the Gatitu factory site. H.E. The Deputy President Hon. William Ruto addresses wananchi at the Gatitu factory site.
• H.E. Hon. William Ruto with Kirinyaga Governor Hon. Joseph Ndathi, Area MP and other diginitaries at Gatitu Factory site. H.E. Hon. William Ruto with Kirinyaga Governor Hon. Joseph Ndathi, Area MP and other diginitaries at Gatitu Factory site.
• NTZDC Managing Director Mr. Peter Korir makes his remarks during the Gatitu Factory ground-breaking event. NTZDC Managing Director Mr. Peter Korir makes his remarks during the Gatitu Factory ground-breaking event.
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