KMFI Awards Shine as Unga Retains Top Spot, Edible Oil Sector Joins Fortification Drive.
The KMFI Awards 2025 chief guest, H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary poses with the KMFI 2025 winners together with the Millers for Nutrition executives during the award ceremony that took place on Tuesday, 16th September 2025 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Westlands, Nairobi.
By Peace Muthoka.
Nairobi, September 16, 2025 – The Kenya Millers Fortification Index (KMFI) 2025 Awards brought together millers, processors, and partners in Nairobi to celebrate progress and confront challenges in fortifying Kenya’s most-consumed foods. Now in its second year, the awards have become a central platform for accountability and recognition in the fight against malnutrition, with 26 companies and 113 brands participating. For the first time, the edible oil sector joined the competition, marking a significant milestone in expanding fortification beyond flour.
Presiding over the ceremony, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi underscored the urgency of the fortification agenda.
“Fortification is the quiet revolution that turns staples into shields against malnutrition, hidden hunger, and stunted futures,” Mudavadi said. “It is the vitamin in our ugali, the iron in our flour, the promise of healthier children and stronger generations.”
The event was organized by TechnoServe and the Cereal Millers Association (CMA) under the Millers for Nutrition initiative, drawing high-level representation from government, industry, and development partners.
Unga Limited was crowned the overall winner for the second year running. Its Managing Director, James Nyutu, said the award was a reaffirmation of Unga’s leadership in fortification.
“We are happy and proud to be crowned the winners again this year,” Nyutu said. “This recognition affirms our leadership in fortification and our commitment to better health for Kenyans.”
Beyond recognition, the awards highlighted the industry’s embrace of transparency. Rizwan Yusufali, Program Director of Millers for Nutrition, reminded the audience of why the index was created.
HE Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary speaking as the Chief Guest during the KMFI Awards 2025 ceremony at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Westlands, Nairobi on Tuesday, 16th September 2025.
“Most people finish school and never want to sit another exam again. But our millers are a rare breed they actually asked for one,” Yusufali said. “High marks in the Fortification Index don’t just earn bragging rights they earn the trust of an entire nation.”
That trust, said Paloma Fernandes, CEO of the Cereal Millers Association, is a hard-earned badge of credibility.
“Millers have gone above and beyond by fortifying and sharing their results transparently,” she said. “KMFI proves that fortification is not only about protecting public health it is also about building stronger businesses.”
Prime Cabinet Secretary together with the Millers for Nutrition executives during the award ceremony that took place on Tuesday, 16th September 2025 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Westlands, Nairobi.
The edible oil sector’s debut was widely welcomed. Sanchita Singh, Director at Bidco Africa, said joining the awards opened a new chapter.
“This was our first year attending, and we are grateful to be recognized,” Singh said. “Fortified oil is healthy and essential, enriched with vitamins A, D, and E. The challenge remains how do we communicate this to the end consumer?”
Her concerns were echoed by Saddam Suleiman, Lead Marketing Officer at Pwani Oil, who pointed to affordability challenges.
“We are fortifying and testing for aflatoxins, but these processes come with costs,” Suleiman noted. “Our biggest challenge is how to create value for fortified products so consumers choose them over cheaper, unsafe alternatives.”
Development partners also underscored the importance of collaboration. Aditya Jagati of the Gates Foundation, which has supported fortification efforts in Kenya for over eight years, described the event as a model for multi-stakeholder engagement.
“Today’s event is a true testament to strong public-private collaboration,” Jagati said. “We are proud to support Millers for Nutrition as it scales across countries, tackling micronutrient malnutrition globally.”
For TechnoServe, the awards represent more than recognition—they are part of an ecosystem approach. Kris Ansin, the organization’s Kenya Country Director, emphasized the broad benefits.
“KMFI is industry-driven and works across private, public, and social sectors. It benefits businesses, government, and consumers alike by recognizing processors that prioritize nutrition,” Ansin explained.
Statistics unveiled during the awards reflected the industry’s growing reach. Wheat flour millers accounted for 67% of Kenya’s market, maize millers 55%, and edible oil processors 48%, while 77 brands scored above 80%, a sign of consistent improvements in fortification standards.
Closing the event, Mudavadi reminded the audience that fortification goes beyond policy—it strengthens the nation’s foundation.
“Food sufficiency means more than full plates; it means stable families, thriving communities, and a country free to chase bold dreams,” he said. “By fortifying our food, we fortify our future.”
With salt processors expected to join in the future, KMFI’s scope is expanding. The 2025 Awards marked more than a competition they marked a movement where industry, government, and development partners align to secure healthier futures for Kenyans.
