By Isaac Blessings
Ugali is the staple food of Kenya mainly cooked in almost every household. In 2017, the meal was added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In a recent research dubbed ‘The Kenya Maize Flour Business Report’ revealed that over 78 percent of Kenyans love and consume Ugali while it estimated that a single person would consume up to five kilos of maize every month. With the rise of many different maize flour brands, it might prove to be a hard task identifying the best maize flour in the market.
Worry no more because in this article, WoK highlights some of the best maize flour brands in Kenya.
This list is not in any particular order.
Amaize
Amaize maize flour was a late entrant in the market but it has proved to be the best brand in Kenya. The maize flour is whiter and finer which in turn makes a softer and smoother ugali which is the favorite of many Kenyans especially in a family setting. The maize flour brand is manufactured by Capwell Industries Limited which is situated in Makongeni, Thika.
Hostess
Hostess ranks among the best maize flour brands in the country. It has vitamins and minerals which suit all your health and nutritional needs. These maize flour is not only one of the tastiest but beneficial as well with natural vitamins such as Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Folic acid, Zinc and Iron. These minerals make it a very nutritious maize flour and a great source of energy and strength. The maize flour is available in either 1kg or 2kg packages in most retail outlets across the country.
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Jogoo Maize Flour
Jogoo maize flour is arguably the most popular maize flour brand in the country. It is the leading brand of sifted maize flour in retail outlets and supermarkets in Kenya. The brand is produced by Unga Group Holdings Limited which was founded in 1909. The company also produces Jogoo wimbi – a blend of Jogoo maize meal and high-quality millet. The flour is primarily used to make brown Ugali and contains the right nutrients for health conscious people especially those suffering from diabetes. The company is owned by Unga Group PLC (65 %) and Seaboard Corporation (35%) with Isabella Ochola Wilson as the Chairman of the company.
Pembe
Pembe Maize flour is also a household name among many families in Kenya. It is mostly sold in 1kg and 2kg packages which are widely found in your local supermarkets or a shop near you. The 2kg maize flour package retails between Sh120 and Sh125 across the country. The brand is manufactured by Pembe Flour Mills Limited which is situated in Industrial area, Nairobi. Dodi A Salim Abubakar is the managing director of the company.
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Soko
Soko Ugali as it is popularly known is among the best maize flour brands in Kenya. The flour offers great taste, nutrients, value and energy for the entire family. The maize flour has been fortified with different vitamins and minerals making it healthier and even more beneficial. The vitamins include vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, Niacin and Folate which are critical and essential to the body. The maize flour is manufactured by Capwell Industries Limited which is situated in Makongeni, Thika just behind Gretsa University. The company was established in 1999 by Dalichand Shah.
Ndovu
Ndovu maize flour joins the list of the best maize flour brands in the country. The brand is manufactured by Mombasa Maize Millers Limited. The company also produces other flours such as Swan home baking flour and Ndovu home baking flour. The maize flour primarily comes in 1kg and 2 kg packages which are available in different supermarkets and retail outlets in the country. The company was founded in 1978 by two brothers Islam Ali and Ahmed Ali and is now a family business.
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Dola
Dola maize is one of the high quality maize flour brands available in the market. The maize flour is popular among many households in the country due to its taste and huge nutritious benefits. The 2kg maize flour package retails at 130 Kenyan shillings and is available in all major supermarkets and shopping centers across the country. It is manufactured by Kitui Flour Mills Limited which was established in Mwingi in 1987. It has since grown and opened several milling plants spread across different parts of the country. The company also manufactures Dola chapatti flour and Dola Attamark 1 flour.
Jamii
Jamii maize flour also joins the list of the best maize flour brands in the country. This maize flour has grown to become famous among Kenyans since entering the market a few years ago. The maize flour is available in both 1kg and 2kg packages in all major supermarkets and different wholesale shops in the country. The brand is manufactured by Jamii Millings limited which is located in Sergoit, Uasin Gishu County. The company is owned by billionaire Joshua Chepkwony who is also behind the Jamii Telecommunications Limited and Kass Media Group.
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Kifaru
Kifaru maize flour has grown to become one of the highly recommended maize flour brands in Kenya since joining the market almost 10 years ago. Consumers appreciate the quality of this maize flour and this has propelled it to join the list of the best maize flour in the country. It is manufactured by Alpha Grain Millers which is situated along North Airport Road, Embakasi Nairobi. Mohamed Khalif serves as the Managing Director of the company.
Jimbi
Jimbi maize flour brand closes for us the list of top ten best maize flour in the country. This maize flour comes in both a 1kg and 2kg packages which are found in all major supermarkets and various retail outlets spread across the entire country. It is manufactured by Nairobi Flour Mills Group which was established in 1949. The company is owned by Ramnik Shah and produces other brands such as Jimbi wheat flour and paper bags.
Other notable maize flour brands include Mama maize flour, Bahari maize meal, Jembe maize flour, Janazi maize flour, Ajab maize flour and Jambo maize flour.