Tatu Coffee shines at Harvest Kenya Awards

By Lawrence Ongaro

Tatu Coffee Estate Limited has clinched first and third positions in the Washed Arabica category at the national Harvest Kenya Awards 2025–26, reinforcing its standing as one of the country’s leading producers of premium coffee.

The achievement highlights Tatu Coffee’s consistent focus on high-grade Arabica, the coffee variety for which Kenya is internationally renowned.

Washed Arabica has long defined Kenya’s reputation in the global specialty coffee market, prized for its clarity, flavour, and quality.

Award-winning coffee and global markets

Tatu Coffee sits on approximately 6,500 acres of land under coffee cultivation in Kiambu County, north of Nairobi. The estate is owned by Rendeavour, the investors behind Tatu City, a large-scale development with long-term investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and the production of goods targeting international markets.

Speaking after the awards, Tatu Coffee Estates Limited Managing Director John Sathya said Kenyan coffee has, for decades, been celebrated for its superior quality.

He noted that securing both first and third positions demonstrates that local coffee farming and processing continue to meet internationally accepted standards.

The recognition, he added, reflects a collective commitment to producing world-class coffee while honouring the efforts of Kenyans involved in coffee cultivation.

Judges attributed Tatu Coffee’s success to its consistent production of top-grade beans. They praised the coffee’s distinctive flavour profile, citing notes of orange blossom, red berries, marmalade, and jam, alongside its rich and lingering sweetness.

Tatu Coffee primarily produces washed Arabica for roasters and buyers in Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Asia. Its coffee meets strict quality benchmarks required for premium-grade specialty coffee produced under conventional farming systems.

Community impact and sustainability focus

Beyond quality production, Tatu Coffee is also recognised for its contribution to grassroots agriculture and local livelihoods. The estate employs residents from surrounding communities, a move that has helped support many families who depend directly or indirectly on coffee farming.

The company also places emphasis on environmental stewardship, including sustainable farming practices, tree planting, forest conservation, and waste management.

Worker welfare remains a key priority, with employees paid wages designed to sustain a decent standard of living.

Meanwhile, Tatu City spans about 5,000 acres near Nairobi and hosts primary and secondary schools, commercial centres, several industries, and hospitals. The development accommodates more than 250,000 residents and represents one of the largest investments in Kenya, located roughly 30 minutes from Nairobi’s central business district.