By Eddah Waithaka
Kenya’s food processors are leading a quiet revolution to combat malnutrition, with industry giants and smaller millers uniting to fortify staple foods with essential vitamins and minerals.
Their commitment took center stage at the 2nd Annual Kenya Food Processing and Nutrition Leadership Forum and the Kenya Miller Fortification Index (KMFI) Awards, graced by Prime Cabinet Secretary H.E. Musalia Mudavadi.
The event, hosted by the Cereal Millers Association and TechnoServe through the Millers for Nutrition initiative, celebrated companies that excel in fortifying wheat flour, maize flour, and edible oils.
For the second year running, Unga Limited claimed the top overall company award, recognized for its unwavering commitment to improving public health.
“KMFI is a great collaboration that is industry-driven and works across the public, private, and social sectors,” said Kris Ansin, TechnoServe Kenya Country Director. “It is good for businesses, consumers, government, and society as a whole.”
The KMFI functions as a rigorous, self-regulatory exam for the industry. Participating companies voluntarily assess their internal operations and submit products for independent laboratory testing against national fortification standards.
This year, 26 companies producing 113 brands participated, with an impressive 77 brands from 18 companies scoring above 80%.
A key milestone for the 2025 index was the inclusion of the edible oil sector for the first time, significantly expanding the initiative’s reach.In his address, Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi framed food fortification as a critical pillar of national food security.
He praised the KMFI as a “Kenyan-born innovation” and a “catalyst for continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability.”
“Fortification is the quiet revolution that turns staples into shields against malnutrition, hidden hunger, and stunted futures,” Mudavadi stated. “It is the vitamin in our ugali, the iron in our flour, the promise of healthier children and stronger generations.” The initiative directly supports the government’s health and nutrition priorities.
Millers for Nutrition is working with the Ministry of Health to improve premix quality standards and collaborating with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to enhance lab testing approaches.
Paloma Fernandes, CEO of the Cereal Millers Association, commended the participants for their transparency and courage.
“You not only opened your mills and your data to scrutiny, you also allowed your products and processes to be tested independently. This kind of transparency takes real courage,” she said.
The data proves that commitment to public health also strengthens businesses. The forum presented evidence that fortification is not only about protecting public health but also about building stronger, more competitive companies, demonstrating that public good and business success can go hand-in-hand.
As the KMFI continues to grow, plans are underway to explore a name change to reflect its expansion and ensure it remains an inclusive platform for all fortifiable food vehicles, cementing its role in building a healthier Kenya.
