Kenya’s Ministry of Trade and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) will develop a roadmap within the next two weeks that will guide in setting up a manufacturing plant that can supply the fast-food chain with frozen processed chips.
This was agreed on Monday after a consultative meeting between the two to address, among other issues, how they can access locally processed chips that conform to the company’s global quality standards and food safety specifications following recent public complaints.
“The government is fully committed to creating a conducive business environment by assisting and protecting foreign investors while at the same time looking out for Kenyan interests, in this case, job creation, the market for local produce, and value addition of agricultural products,” said Trade PS Johnson Weru.
Government to form a Working Team with @KFCinKenya and relevant stakeholders to develop a concrete roadmap within two weeks to guide on how Kenya can set up a manufacturing plant to supply KFC and the regional market with frozen processed chips – @IndustryKE PS @Ps_AmbKaberia
— Trade Kenya (@Trade_Kenya) January 24, 2022
CEO of the local KFC franchise Jacques Theunissen took the opportunity to clarify that their ongoing potato shortage had nothing to do with the alleged poor quality of locally grown potatoes and everything to do with the lack of suppliers of the semi-cooked frozen chips they use.
He noted KFC sources over 80% of their other supplies from local suppliers who easily conform to global standards, and expressed optimism that GoK will urgently assist them access the product locally to support the local economy and cut down on their shipping costs and time.
Weru promised to engage Treasury for funds to fast-track procurement of the plant noting any of the three available cold-storage units in Meru, Kisii, and Nyandarua can be upgraded and equipped with the technology to supply local and regional consumers of the processed chips.
