Rift Valley Region

Rift Valley Region

             The Rift Valley region stretches from the north to south of Kenya forming part of the Great Rift Valley system were Arabica cultivation finds fertile volcanic soils and cooler climates. Key coffee-growing areas are mainly found in the high-altitude western escarpments and parts of the southern highlands including; Kericho and Bomet countries (south rift), Nakuru and Nandi Hills, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Narok (southern slopes), West Pokot (northern highlands). These escarpments and plateaus offer excellent drainage and long dry periods that aid bean development. Rift valleyregion have elevation of 1,400-2,100 meters above sea level. The western highlands near Kericho and Nandi are also famous for tea, but intercropping with coffee is common.

            Rift valley region has the temperature of 15-26c and 1,000-1,800mm annual rainfall often in two rainy seasons. The cool mornings and warm days promote slow ripening and enhance cup complexity. These climates have produced many a coffee varieties for the valley such as SL28 (preferred for its bright acidity and clean cup), SL34 (performs well in mid to high altitude), RUIRU11 (resistant to coffee berry disease and leaf rust), BATIAN (increasingly adopted for productivity and flavour quality). Some lower- altitude areas especially western and southern rift grows Robusta, though in smaller volumes.

          Farming system in Rift Valley Region is mostly done by smallholder farmers organized under cooperatives and farmers’ societies. Estates and large farms are fewer than in Central Kenya but still present, especially around Kericho, Nandi, and Nakuru. Farms are often mixed-use, with tea, maize, and dairy alongside coffee. Cooperatives and estates such as Nandi Hills Coffee Farmers cooperative, Kericho Highlands Estate and Trans nzoia coffee cooperative. Rift valley region coffee is wet-processed (fully washed) and sun dried. Beans are graded into AA, AB, PB… following the same Kenya coffee board system. Some estates use eco-pulpers and water recycling systems to reduce environmental impact. 

          Coffee contributes to household income and rural employment, though tea remains dominant in the Rift valley. Even though production level is lower than in central Kenya, the region is gaining attention for high-quality micro lots and organic farming. Rift Valley region coffee has notes of balanced sweetness, medium body, subtle fruity or nutty, moderate acidity (less sharp than Mount Kenya or Aberdare coffees) even tea like brightness and floral aromas from Kericho and Nandi hills beans due to the cooler climate and rich soils