Kisii entrepreneur creates wine, juices and yoghurt from bananas

Kisii region is known for its bananas and residents Jared Omiso Nyakundi knew growing up he would reap from the fruit if he added value to it.

To achieve this dream, Nyakundi approached Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) in 2013 with a proposal on his intention to reduce post-harvest losses and increase the prices of bananas through value addition. Luckily, his proposal was accepted by KIRDI and he was accommodated for training and allowed to use the tools, equipment and research facilities for his practical.

"In 2013 I approached The Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute(KIRDI) on the possibility of making banana flour/Powder, crisps and wine. I would develop the products from cooking banana varieties (ng'ombe, nusu ng'ombe and Uganda green) which are plenty in Kisii highlands," he said.

"In 2018, the Ministry of Industrialisation, and Enterprise Development in collaboration with KIRDI and JICA introduced a programme of Japan "One village One Products" which introduced a project of wine processing from some specific banana dessert banana varieties (Granny Nine, Giant Cavindish, Chinase Cavendish, Dwarf Cavendish, FHIA17, 18, and 19" he said, adding that since I was interested, I became part of this"

After the successful completion of his training programme at KIRDI, he then partnered with like-minded individuals and went on to form Nyangorora Banana Processors, with a focus of buying raw bananas from farmers and then processing them into different products. Among the products made by Nyakundi include banana flour, powder, crisps and banana wine.

Worthwhile venture

In 2020, Nyakundi ventured into wine processing from banana products. The process entails buying raw bananas from farmers, ripening them and then the fermentation process. Other ingredients used in the process include wine yeast, sugar, clarify/clean, and wine sweeteners.

Other than banana wine, Nyakundi and his team also make products such as puree, juice, nectar, beer, jam, vinegar, shampoo, spirits, and sanitizer. For packaging, Nyakundi buys empty bottles and ingredients from a supplier in Uganda and South Africa which in most cases comes in 750ml and one liter capacity.

Nyakundi's wine and other banana products are sold mainly to five-star hotels in Nyanza, Western and other towns frequented by tourists.

"Western and Nyanza regions have one of the highest concentrations of five-star hotels in the country. And therefore is a high tourist destination location. The project looks at the hotels in the area for its market," Nyakundi reveals to Citybiz.

However, they are not able to meet the high demand not only of other towns in the region, but more so Nyanza. Nyakundi's products have been enjoying a high level of demand regionally.

Nyakundi's wine goes by the brand "Ritoke" with different product varieties which include sparkling wine, fortified wine, yoghurt wine, and other fruit wines. A 750ml bottle of wine is sold at Sh800 while a litre is sold at Sh1,600.

In a good month, Nyakundi and his team take home approximately, Sh250,000.