ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Founded in 1983, Karinga Factory is situated on five acres of land serving the villages of Kimaruri, Kariungu, Gachuha, and Mugalwa. It sits at an altitude of 1840 MASL in the Thika District of Kiambu County, an area traditionally known for tea production. The factory is part of the Gitwe Farmers Co-op, which currently has about 500 active members.
Karinga Coffee Factory is managed by Samwel Muteti. The factory employs six permanent staff members and occasional workers, whose numbers vary depending on the crop harvest. Affiliate members of the factory carry out all agronomic activities related to coffee production, such as sourcing coffee from the Coffee Research Station and planting according to its guidelines. Their fieldwork also includes weeding, pruning, spraying, fertilizing, mulching, and providing technical advice through farmer training programs and field visits organized by the Ministry of Agriculture.
ABOUT THE PROCESS: After harvesting, all coffee is delivered to the factory and processed using the washed method. Water is pumped from River Rwabura to reservoir tanks for pulping, and the water is recycled afterwards. In line with the growing awareness of environmental conservation, the factory has initiated several projects, including wastewater soak pits, where water is allowed to soak back into the soil.