Kenya Karumandi Baragwi AB comes to us through our regional export partner, NKG East Africa. NKG East Africa serves as our on-the-ground representative across Kenya and neighboring origins. Notably, their team works directly with cooperatives, factories and producers to manage pre-selections, quality control, logistics and traceability from harvest through shipment. With deep regional relationships and technical expertise, NKG East Africa plays a critical role in helping us identify, secure and deliver high-quality coffees with transparency and consistency year after year.
Karumandi Factory
Karumandi Factory operates within Kirinyaga County under the leadership of Baragwi Farmers Cooperative Society, the largest coffee society in Kenya. Significantly, with more than 15,000 producer members and twelve washing stations across the region, Baragwi has established a coordinated, quality-driven model at scale.
Karumandi works with approximately 1,500 active farmers and produces around 1,700 bags (60 kg) annually. Situated at 1,600–1,800 meters above sea level on clay loam soils, the factory benefits from 1,400 mm of annual rainfall and an average temperature of 20.5°C. Flowering occurs from February to March, followed by harvest between October and December. Coffees are typically prepared for shipment from March through April.
Member producers cultivate SL 28, SL 34, Batian and Ruiru 11 — combining classic Kenyan cup potential with improved disease resistance and farm productivity. Upon delivery, cherries are carefully sorted before pulping. Next, the parchment is fermented overnight. Then the coffee is washed and graded by density into P1, P2, P3, P lights and pods. Finally, parchment drying takes place on raised tables for 8–14 days. This promotes even moisture reduction and clarity in the final profile.
Kenya Baragwi Karumandi reflect the hallmarks of Kirinya — structured acidity, concentrated sweetness and the precision that comes from coordinated cooperative oversight.
Baragwi Farmers Cooperative Society
Baragwi FCS maintains standardized processing protocols across all its factories. Tiled washing channels enhance cleanliness and efficiency. Wooden drying tables are gradually being replaced with more durable metal structures. Factory managers rotate between washing stations every two years, encouraging knowledge transfer and reinforcing consistent quality across the society.
Cupping notes: Raisin, honey, plum, oolong tea; juicy and refreshing.
