Unga Limited, Bidco Africa shine at 2025 Kenya Millers Fortification Awards
KMFI Awards celebrated 26 millers and 113 brands for their contributions to Kenya’s health and economic goals through fortification.
KENYA – Unga Limited and Bidco Africa Limited took top honors at the 2025 Kenya Millers Fortification Index (KMFI) Awards, held on September 16, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Nairobi, cementing their roles as pioneers in food fortification and public health innovation.
The awards, organized by the Cereal Millers Association and TechnoServe under the Millers for Nutrition initiative, celebrated 26 millers and 113 brands for their contributions to Kenya’s health and economic goals through fortified wheat flour, maize flour, and edible oils.
This year’s KMFI Awards recognised companies that demonstrated excellence not just in compliance but in advancing fortification practices that align with Kenya’s national nutrition priorities.
The KMFI Awards evaluation was based on a strict evaluation process that combined self-assessments with independent product testing, governance, production, and public engagement.
Overall, 77 brands scored above 80%, showing high standards in fortification. The companies represented 67% of Kenya’s wheat flour market, 55% of maize flour, and 48% of edible oil, cementing their role in shaping both Kenya’s food security and trade profile.
Unga Limited retains top spot
Unga Limited was named the overall top performer for the second consecutive year, dominating the wheat and maize flour categories.
The company’s brands, including Hodari Maize Meal and Exe Atta Mark, Exe All Purpose, Exe Mandazi, Exe Self-Rising, and Pendo All Purpose Homebaking Flour, clinched first place in their respective large categories, earning prestigious Brown Awards for brand excellence and Coil Awards for overall company performance.
Following Unga in the maize flour category were Pembe Flour Mills Ltd and Kitui Flour Mills Ltd, while in the wheat category were United Millers Limited and Spice World Ltd, respectively.
James Nyutu, Unga’s Managing Director, underscored the company’s mission. “Fortification is more than compliance, it’s about improving lives sustainably. By ensuring every Kenyan gets essential nutrients through our flour, we’re fortifying their future.”
Bidco Africa leads in edible oils
In a historic first, the 2025 KMFI Awards included the edible oils category, with Bidco Africa Limited emerging as the leader. Bidco’s brands- Kimbo Premium, Ufuta, Bahari Fry, Golden Fry, Sungold, Soyagold, and Olive Blend, secured top spots in the large category, earning Brown Awards, while the company itself received a Coil Award for overall excellence.
With a 48% market share in edible oils among participating brands, Bidco’s fortification of cooking oils with vitamins A and D aligns with Kenya’s push to combat micronutrient deficiencies.
Sanchita Singh, representing Bidco, highlighted the awards’ role in fostering trust. “This recognition validates our commitment to quality and health, setting a benchmark for the industry.”
Bidco Africa was closely followed by Vipingo Industries Limited and Kapa Oil Refineries Ltd in second and third positions respectively.
The category awards further recognized excellence, with Spice World Ltd and Kitui Flour Mills Ltd sharing the Most Improved Company Award, Kitui Flour Mills Ltd and Capwell Industries Limited earning the Innovation Award.
Osman Adan of Pembe Flour Mills Ltd and Peninah King’ori of Mombasa Maize Millers Ltd were honored as Miller Personalities of the Year.
Government backs fortification for health and trade
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, speaking at the event, emphasized fortification as a dual strategy for public health and economic growth.
“Fortification enhances the competitiveness of Kenyan brands in regional and international markets while ensuring our people access affordable, nutritious food,” he said.
He lauded the KMFI initiative as a homegrown innovation that has grown from a pilot with five companies in 2022 to a platform now featuring 34 companies, 155 brands, and 122 active participants.
Mudavadi urged millers to align with government nutrition strategies and collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Kenya Bureau of Standards to enforce standards, positioning Kenya as a regional processing hub.
TechnoServe Kenya Country Director Kris Ansin hailed the initiative as an industry-driven collaboration that benefits all stakeholders.
“It helps identify, promote, and celebrate food processors whose brands you can trust and who are prioritising fortification. It is good for businesses, consumers, government, and society as a whole,” he said.
The KMFI Awards form part of the Millers for Nutrition initiative, launched in 2023 to support and celebrate food processors that play a key role in improving the nutrition of Kenyan families.
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