Biz Lounge: Nakuru woman reaps big from selling porridge

Upon returning from maternity leave, I had to come back to work and one of the instructions I was given was that I must take porridge to boost my milk production.

I carried a ten-litre mtungi of traditional uji my mum had prepared. After two weeks I had finished the porridge. 

Now in search of this valuable commodity, I walked around Nakuru city centre trying to find someone who sells the Uji.

After a long search, I found Sonia's Natural Porridge Ventures which sells all types of Uji.

Florida Muthoni, the founder of Sonia's Natural Porridge Ventures, says that she gets to be part of people's journeys in one way or another as they celebrate significant strides in their lives.

Muthoni used to run the business as a side hustle in 2018.

A few months in, the demand started growing prompting her to resign from her job as a sales executive in one of the companies in Nakuru.

"I decided to quit my job and fully focus on the business since I felt I needed more time to ensure the business grows and succeeds," she says.

She began her business by selling the traditional fermented porridge popularly known as “ucuru wa mukio” (porridge made from ground millet) by the Agikuyu community.

Depending heavily on referrals, Muthoni got the motivation to grow her business. She would now market her products at church events and her client's parties (mostly dowry payment events).

“Some of my regular customers are lactating mothers since the porridge enriches milk production. I also have a growing male clientele who are interested in the  libido-boosting porridge,” she chuckles.

The traditional porridge, which is normally left to ferment for a couple of days is sold in two versions; cooked or uncooked. She says her products, which are popular in Nakuru town have great nutritional value.

As for the ingredients, Muthoni says she buys them from organic farmers at her hometown in Meru.

Now a business that can stand on its own feet, Muthoni notes that she has six employees from the initial one as the orders traverse the borders of Nakuru County.

"For those who want to take our product, we sell a cup of porridge at Sh. 50 while a calabash will cost Sh. 100. A five-litre of uncooked porridge retails at Sh. 500 while the cooked version of a similar quantity will set one back Sh. 1000," she says.

Muthoni said that she rakes up to Sh.5,000 a day when business is good which she promotes on social media.

"One of the challenges I face is the high cost of business permits since the business is located within the city centre."

She has now diversified her income by packaging the flour for customers which goes for Sh. 350 per Kg.