Latest news with #Wafula
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Chinese products shine at Africa food show in Kenya
NAIROBI, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Food Show Kenya 2025 concluded here on Friday, with Chinese products attracting significant attention from local visitors. Betty Wafula, a 33-year-old bakery owner who runs her enterprise in Eldoret town in western Kenya, told Xinhua that she was entering into negotiations with a lactic acid technology firm from central China's Henan Province to purchase food preservatives. As she did not have access to cold chain facilities, Wafula said Chinese products would help extend the shelf life of wheat-based products without compromising on the flavor. "I would like to benefit from modern agricultural technology by purchasing food additives from China," said Wafula. Starting on Wednesday, the third edition of the food expo ran under the theme of "Transforming Africa's Food Ecosystem for a Sustainable Tomorrow." Jibril Abubakar Ali, a food preservatives trader in the coastal city of Mombasa, said he was glad to have attended the expo because he was able to learn about citric acid and starch products from Chinese companies. Ali noted that Chinese manufacturers have gained a reputation for producing high-quality products at affordable prices, especially for the African market. Desmond Nderitu, a Nairobi-based wholesaler of confectionery products, expressed his interest in collaborating with Chinese counterparts. "I have tasted the chocolates and snack foods from China, and I look forward to placing orders because they meet customers' expectations," Nderitu said. Edwin Masivo, country director for Global Exhibitions Inc., the organizer of the expo, attributed the popularity of Chinese food preservatives and flavoring products to their use of innovations that make them more appropriate for African consumers. Masivo added that Africa's food industry is increasingly tapping into Chinese manufacturers to deliver quality products.
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
2nd LD-Writethru: Light aircraft with 4 onboard crashes in Kenya capital
NAIROBI, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were confirmed dead and two others injured after a light aircraft belonging to AMREF Flying Doctors crashed in a residential area on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, a government official confirmed. "We have six people dead. The four who were on board and two on the ground. Two others were injured on the ground," said Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula. He noted that among those deceased were four medical personnel onboard the Cessna Citation 560 ambulance aircraft with registration 5Y-FDM, as well as two members of the public at the crash scene. According to Wafula, the injured, including an elderly woman, were rushed to a local hospital. Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director-General Emile Arao said in a statement that the aircraft took off from Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 2:14 p.m. local time en route to Hargeisa in northern Somalia. It crashed three minutes later in the Mwihoko area. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident involving an air ambulance mission. Our immediate priority is to support rescue efforts and provide all necessary assistance to the families affected," Arao said. Kenya Defence Forces and National Police Service are leading the search and rescue efforts at the crash site, according to the statement. The Air Accident Investigation Department has dispatched a team to investigate the cause of the crash. AMREF also confirmed the accident, saying it was cooperating fully with aviation authorities and emergency responders to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash. AMREF Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gitau said in a separate statement that their immediate focus is on the safety and well-being of those on board and providing full support to their families and colleagues. "We are also offering all necessary assistance to the authorities as investigations continue," Gitau added. Images from the scene showed the wreckage engulfed in flames as witnesses watched from a distance.
