Michael Warui leads us by way of Fairview Espresso Property in Kenya’s Central Highlands, the place curious espresso lovers have an opportunity to attempt genuine Kenyan espresso.
BY DANIEL MURAGA
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Pictures courtesy of Minister Michael Warui
Adjoining to a scenic dam and a cascading waterfall in Central Kenya is a big espresso plantation that draws each native and worldwide espresso fans in search of to expertise genuine Kenyan espresso. About six miles from Nairobi is Fairview Espresso Property, which is positioned 1,750 meters above sea degree and spans over 100 acres, offering alternative to expertise espresso with out venturing too removed from the capital. Visiting this property is like touring a vineyard in Stellenbosch, Cape City, or Naples, the place you stroll by way of vineyards and pattern completely different grapes—and it isn’t the one one in Kenya of its type.
We took a tour of Fairview Property to style Kenyan espresso like a professional and spoke to Michael Warui, Govt Director of the property, to study extra concerning the historical past of espresso farming within the space.
“Fairview Property is a 117-year-old enterprise that began in 1909,” says Michael. “Over time, it has modified arms a number of instances however was bought by Ambassador (Leonard O.) Kibinge and his household in 1978. We’ve a modest 44 hectares—somewhat above 100 acres—below espresso, with the first selection being SL28 Arabica vegetation.”
Beginning as a advisor at Value Waterhouse Coopers a long time in the past, Michael’s profession spans tourism, wildlife conservation, actual property improvement, hospitality, agribusiness, facilitating public-private partnerships, and the church. When he turned 80, Ambassador Kibinge, who’s now 92, requested Michael to take over management of the farm. The farm now provides an opportunity for guests to study Kenyan espresso—its historical past, improvement, harvesting, brewing, and extra—and, above all, partake in tasting the brew as an professional.
The espresso plantation is irrigated by Riara River, a small however everlasting river that acts as a tributary inside the bigger Nairobi River basin. A stroll by way of the espresso bushes results in a waterfall and a synthetic dam.
A Tour By way of Fairview Espresso Property
The espresso farm provides a spread of experiences for the guests to take pleasure in every day, like guided excursions led by espresso consultants with one tour within the morning and one other within the afternoon. By way of these excursions, the customer learns first-hand the artwork of espresso farming and processing, internalizing all of the steps that the bean takes from farm to cup.
A few of the actions right here embrace selecting the cherries from the bushes and roasting them. Along with touring the farms and appreciating the great thing about the plush inexperienced espresso plant rows (all of them older than any individual alive at the moment on the earth and seemingly touching the horizon), the customer can be led by way of the espresso crop cycle, the necessity for sustainable farming, and why eco-friendly agricultural practices are a should for fulfillment.
After selecting espresso, a visit to the manufacturing facility takes guests by way of the steps that uncooked espresso beans undergo to grow to be these irresistible fragrant beans everyone knows and love. Right here, guests study sorting espresso, pulping, fermentation, and drying. The espresso lab is the place the roasting takes place and provides a chance for guests to style freshly roasted espresso.
The farm additionally provides a chance to “take residence what they’ve seen” and buy rigorously harvested and roasted premium espresso. Lastly, guests can study extra concerning the wealthy tradition of Kenyan espresso by interacting with locals in a conventional espresso ritual.
“We’ve refined the immersive expertise (of our guided excursions) over time in order that cultural change and engagement with all our workers just isn’t solely inspired, but additionally offers a singular alternative to know how espresso may help change the lives of strange Kenyans,” Michael says. “We’re honored to host a whole lot of company yearly, together with Kenyans, East Africans, Africans, and different nationals from each continent on the earth.”
The Development of a Native Espresso Scene
Fairview just isn’t the one espresso farm providing excursions within the surrounding neighborhood or in Kiambu County. Different well-liked farms that curious espresso lovers can go to embrace Karunguru Espresso Property and Kiambethu Farm, amongst others in the identical county. Michael expresses that he isn’t involved about “competitors,” as he solely hopes for the native espresso sector to proceed to broaden. He additionally shares his want for Kiambu County to someday grow to be a espresso tourism vacation spot, simply as Stellenbosch is a wine tourism vacation spot in South Africa.
“We don’t truly care concerning the ‘competitors’ and warmly welcome different massive and small espresso farmers to duplicate and enhance upon our enterprise mannequin. Our best pleasure could be to see Africa’s share of world commerce develop from a dismal 3% to no less than 20%, by way of worth addition throughout a number of worth chains,” Michael advised Barista Journal. “What we’re doing in espresso is replicable throughout many value-chains together with these within the extractive sector.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daniel Muraga (he/him) is a communications professional, researcher, author, and editor based mostly in Kenya with over 10 years of expertise within the trade. His mission is to focus on Africa’s contributions to the realms of science, expertise, innovation, tradition, meals, and associated fields. He has completed in depth analysis and written broadly within the espresso area of interest for Sprudge Media, in addition to in associated areas for Life & Thyme and CQ Researcher, amongst others. When not writing, he’s at all times open air communing with nature. Yow will discover him on Fb, X, and LinkedIn.
Subscribe and Extra!
As at all times, you may learn Barista Journal in paper by subscribing or ordering a problem.
Help Barista Journal with a Membership.
Signup for our weekly publication.
Learn the February + March 2026 Difficulty at no cost with our digital version.
