As you do your shopping, you may have come across or bought the Unga wa Dola maize brand or its subsequent products. The brand prides itself for great texture and good consistency in quality flour.
Kitui Flour Mills, the Unga wa Dola parent company, has been in existence for over three decades- with its presence stretching to over 85 countries globally.
Unknown to many, the brains behind the company is Salim Bin Ahmed Bajaber.
History
In 1975 the Kitui Flour Mills began operations as a wholesale company in Mwingi town. 12 years, the Kitui millers ventured into the lucrative maize milling business- catering to a small population that required a few kilos on a daily basis for household consumption.
However, as time passed by, the demand for quality milling services grew and the millers capitalised on this by producing a range of nutritious products including wheat products.
As a result, the wider market opened doors for the company to supply to neighbouring countries.
Currently, the brand produces over six different brands of wheat and maize flour. These include Unga wa Dola maize flour, Jahazi, Unga wa Dola bakers flour, Ziwa Premium Flour, Babalao flour, KFM Chenga Flour among others.
According to the company profile, the miller has created over 2,000 employment opportunities while also playing a role in aiding small scale farmers produce raw materials for processed flour.
In 2021, the company's General Manager, Abdallah Said noted that the firm had invested in the latest milling technology in a bid to improve on quality and offer quality products.
"Throughout the years, the Kitui Flour Mills family has been united and fortified by love, loyalty, sharing and solidarity. We strive to unceasingly provide quality superior products," he stated at the time.
Sunset years
The company owner Bajaber was vocal about the affordable Unga deal announced by the government that saw a 2kg packet of unga retail at Ksh100.
He advocated for the president's intervention to cushion the millers as they experienced maize shortage. Further, he noted that they were forced to pay for the product at the border as the waiver for maize imports had not been effected.
"Other than the waiver issue, we still have to look for maize. We are confident that some of these teething problems will be addressed following the president's intervention," he stated.
On Monday, August 22, Tourism CS Najib Balala announced that Bajaber had passed away.
"I'm deeply saddened to learn of the passing on of our elder Mzee Salim Bin Ahmed Bajaber, founder and owner Kitui Flour Mills Ltd.
"May the Almighty God rest his soul in peace and give his family the strength at this time of grief," Balala stated.
