The Khitari farm was purchased in 1959 by Coffee Board of Kenya. The farm is in the western foot hills of Mau highland on the edge of Nyanza basin. It is situated at 1554 metres above sea level, 35º 16’ East and 0º 7’ South. The total Acreage is 312 Acres (Approximately 127 Ha). The area under coffee is 44.7 Ha. The other area, approximately 82.3Ha is under residential, hill, riverside, headlands, roads, paths, factory, nursery and primary schools.

The substation serves as a coffee growing Advisory Centre for Kericho, Nyando, Kisumu, Bondo, Siaya and Nandi Districts. It was mainly established to provide sites to investigate problems pertaining to coffee growing under high rainfall and warm conditions. It serves farmers from the above districts who both visit and are visited for advice on the best coffee management practices. Students and pupils from various schools also come on educational visits to learn more on coffee farming.