Privem Estate AB

Privem Estate is truly a family endeavor. While Patrick Makundi is often the face of the operation—the cupper and public voice—it’s his wife, Rita Makundi, who keeps everything running day to day. And the story doesn’t stop there. Rita will quickly introduce you to her mother, the farm manager, and from there the network expands to include siblings, children, and extended family. What they’ve built feels less like a single farm and more like a small, vibrant community centered around coffee.

Both Rita and Patrick were raised in Embu County and grew up surrounded by coffee. In 2012, they returned home to establish Privem Estate. Land in Embu is typically divided into small parcels, and it took two generations for their family to assemble 23 acres of contiguous farmland. Perched on a high plateau with sweeping views of Mt. Kenya, the estate reached a major milestone in 2018 when they secured a pulping license—allowing them to step away from the local cooperative and invest in their own wet mill.

FROM OUR 2022 VISIT:
Our visit highlighted a strong drive for growth at Privem. The team is aiming to significantly expand production, with a focus on a 50/50 planting of SL varieties and Batian. Their approach is both thoughtful and ambitious, and their openness and charisma make them ideal long-term partners.

The estate itself reflects that same care and personality—beautifully maintained grounds, a small waterfall, and even a smiling dolphin statue that’s hard to forget.