Potato varieties in Kenya and their characteristics

By George Munene

1. Unica 

• Red-skinned
• Shallow eyes (bumps where potatoes start to grow)
• Creams flesh
• Long tubers
• Diseases: Susceptible to late blight
• Domancy (Time taken for tuber to sprout): 2-3
• Maturity: Early (3 months)
• Ideal for chips & crisps
• Rich in Vitamin C, Iron & Zinc
• Yield: 40-45 tons/ha
• Areas to be grown: Lowlands and highlands tropics 1400-3500 Meters Above Sea Level (MASL)

2. Shangi 

• Cream skin
• Shallow to medium pink eyes
• Cream white flesh
• Oval shaped tubers
• Diseases: Moderately susceptible to late blight
• Dormancy: Very short (Less than 1 month)
• Ideal for mashing, boiling, chipping, & roasting
• 30-40 tons/ha
• Areas to be grown : ≥1500 m.a.s.l. is the best. It does well in areas such as Nyandarua, Kiambu, Nyeri, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru, Bomet, Narok, Kwale, Nandi, Kisii, Kericho, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu,Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot, Taita-Taveta, and Cherangani hills.

3. Tigoni 

• White skin
• Pale yellow flesh
• Shallow white eyes
• Diseases: Tolerant to late blight
• Dormancy: Short (1 month)
• Ideal for mashing, boiling, chipping, baking, & roasting
• Yields: 35-45 tons/ha
• Areas to be grown : High altitude of >2300 m.a.s.l is the best. It does well in areas such as Nyandarua, Kiambu, Nyeri, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru, Bomet, Narok, Kwale, Nandi, Kisii, Kericho, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot, Taita-Taveta, and Cherangani hills.

4. Kenya Mpya

• Cream white skin
• Cream white flesh
• Shallow pink eyes
• Oval shaped tubers
• Dormancy: Short (1 month)
• Diseases: Resistant to late blight
• Ideal for mashing, boiling, chipping, & roasting
• Yields: Very high (40-45 tons/ha)
• Areas to be grown: Medium to high altitude of 1400-3000 m.a.s.l. It does well in areas such as Nyandarua, Kiambu, Nyeri, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru, Bomet, Narok, Kwale, Nandi, Kisii, Kericho, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, West Pok

5.  Dutch Robyjn

• Slightly rough red skin
• Pale yellow flesh
• Shallow to medium pink eyes
• Round shaped
• Diseases: Susceptible to late blight & Drought
• Dormancy: Long (Over 3 months)
• Ideal for crisping
• Yield: 35-40 tons/ha
• Area to be grown: High altitudes of 1800-2600 m.a,s.l is the best. It does well in areas such as Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Meru, Nakuru, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot, Taita-Taveta, and Cherangani hills. The best area is Bomet County.

6. Kenya Karibu 

• Deep red skin
• Yellow flesh
• Dark red medium eyes
• Round in shape
• Dormancy: Long (Over 3 months)
• Diseases: Tolerant to late blight
• Ideal for chipping, crisping, boiling, and mashing
• Yield: 35-40 tons/ha
• Areas to be grown: Altitude of 1800-2600 m.a.s.l is the best. It does well in areas such as Nyandarua, Kiambu, Nyeri, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru,
  Bomet, Narok, Kwale, Nandi, Kisii, Kericho and Cherangani hills.