Kuku Foods East Africa, the local KFC franchise holder has explained why the fast-food restaurant does not source potatoes from Kenyan farmers.
Kuku Foods CEO Jacques Theunissen says it is mandatory for all suppliers of food KFC sells worldwide to undergo global quality assurance vetting before they are allowed to supply their products.
KFC headquarters in the US demands certain standards across its outlets worldwide to maintain quality and consistency globally and protect the reputation of the brand.
To ensure that quality and consistency is maintained, Kuku Foods East Africa imports cut potatoes from outside the country as no Kenyan producer passes KFC’s rigorous quality assurance approval process.
“The reason we cannot buy local (potatoes) at the moment is all suppliers need to go through the global Quality Assurance approval process and we cannot bypass that even if we run out to ensure that our food is safe for consumption by our customers,” Theunissen said.
Theunissen spoke after Kenyans on social media called for the KFC boycott for refusing to buy potatoes from local farmers.
This is after KFC, formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken, on Monday announced they can no longer serve their customers chips in Kenya after the potato stock ran out.
The popular fast-food franchise, which operates mainly in Nairobi and other big towns in Kenya, attributed the shortage to a rise in demand for chips during the festive period.
“Fam it was truly a Furaha December. Mlikula sherehe with your KFC faves. Ya’ll loved our chips a little too much, and we’ve run out. Sorry! Our team is working hard to resolve the issue. In the meantime here are some SWAP options for combo meals if you are craving our Kuku,” KFC Kenya tweeted.
Theunissen told Business Daily that a hitch in the global supply of potatoes led to this situation.
“It has to do with delays in shipping lines due to the Covid situation. Ships have been delayed for more than a month now, but we are working hard to restore as the first containers are arriving in the port tomorrow (Tuesday),” said Theunissen.
KFC, the second-largest fast-food restaurant in the world, is known for its quality and unique chicken and chips.
All the organic Ngorofu we…
All the organic Ngorofu we produce in Kinangop and so called KFC import cancer causing potatoes from Idoho. Let me import the customers. Kenyans stay away from this dangerous fast food.
Ah we don’t need you…
Ah we don’t need you. Kenchic please
I have never heard such…
I have never heard such bullshit reloaded. I doubt they even ever attempted to set such standards for Kenyan farmers. Someone with supply chain knowledge, please convince us that it is not bs.
This shows just how much a…
This shows just how much a government cares for its people.
Nonsense. Send them packing…
Nonsense. Send them packing n close those shops.
I honestly couldn’t tell you…
I honestly couldn’t tell you what kfc fries taste like. I’ve never had them. KFC rep is arguing that Idaho hormone induced potatoes are better than locally grown Kenyan potatoes. First, the government should make international restaurant groups to support local farmers. If not 100 percent then that 50 percent. It doesn’t make any sense for a restaurant like kfc to establish itself in kenya and not support local farmers. Kenya is an agricultural nation and Farming is the backbone of Kenya. Secondly, Kenyans have been eating fries for decades. KFC should know better than to think what’s produced locally is not good enough. The best fries I’ve ever had were in kenya. Things can’t always be done the American way. Potato potata….it’s the same.
We the Kenyans are the…
We the Kenyans are the consumers and have not ever complained about our potatoes which happen to be better than these which are in the west e.g. USA. This is an insult and we will start boycotting your products fir now henceforth. Can you prove your claims with facts and figures?
Pure BS .They think our…
Pure BS .They think our potatoes are inferior yet they have no problem taking our money.Time to support local enterprises and boycott them it is not like they are serving gourmet chicken or superior fries.
Anything GMO is big in size…
Anything GMO is big in size from plants to animals but is fake and tasteless. Also not nutritious
The fries in the US are…
The fries in the US are puckish. I miss chipo za Kenya ?
That why waru in nyandarua…
That why waru in nyandarua can’t get market watakipata ma kfc
We need to have some honesty…
We need to have some honesty at times to me I think that’s a lie. When did the Ugali you save go under the standard. You buy some veggies have they gone under the same? Tell our farmers how that global things is done and am sure they will have the standard. You have been in the country long enough. Our farmers do export foodstuffs and am sure that wouldn’t be a big deal.
No more kfc
No more kfc
BS! Does the money from the…
BS! Does the money from the sale go through the global standard review before being accepted at the point of sale? BS.
Kenyans boycott from KFC. If…
Kenyans boycott from KFC. If they can’t respect Kenyans farmers then we don’t need to eat there foods. There is nothing like inspection. That’s just BS. It’s all business from Idaho farmers. Kenyan chips are the best. Hata kuku kula Kenchic
This is a total insult to…
This is a total insult to our local farmers and consumers,KFC should pack and leave our agricultural nation if they cannot support local potato and chicken farmers.enoughs been said let’s boycott them if no action is taken urgently, uhuru umetuagusha tena