Kenya AB Tob Gichathaini

Gichathaini, part of the Gikanda Farmers’ Cooperative Society, operates as one of three washing stations. Owned by coffee farmers, it’s located on the Eastern side of Mt. Kenya national park, approximately 6 km from Karatina. The region enjoys abundant rainfall year-round, with wet periods from March to June and October to December. Temperatures range from 15°C to 26°C, cooling significantly at night. The station uses gravity-fed channels to draw water from the nearby Ragati River for coffee fermentation and washing. After processing, the water is carefully managed to prevent contamination by runoff. Farmers handpick red ripe cherries, which are promptly processed. Sorting occurs before pulping, separating ripe cherries from under-ripe and foreign matter. Clean river water is recirculated during processing, and after overnight fermentation, the parchment is carefully sun-dried on raised beds before being sent for milling and export.