This archive report was first published on 27 September 2021.
From Ugali Crust to Global Delight: Bischof Jebiwott's BDELO Story ¶
Published on September 27, 2021
Bischof Jebiwott, a food entrepreneur from Elgeyo Marakwet, is the founder of Bischof Developing Local Opportunities (BDELO), a company that has revolutionized the way Kenyans perceive maize meal. Born in the 1970s, Jebiwott grew up in Kipnai village, where ugali was the staple food. However, her perception of maize meal changed when she traveled to the United States in 1990 to study for a Master's degree in management at Case Western Reserve University.
While in the US, Jebiwott interacted with students from South America and the Caribbean, who introduced her to the world of Mexican cuisine. She discovered that the ugali crust she grew up with was a global delight, referred to as Nacho or tortilla chips/crisp. This realization sparked an idea in her mind, and she decided to start a business that would create value from maize meal.
After returning to Kenya in 2010, Jebiwott established BDELO, a food processing and packaging company that sources raw materials locally. The company works with small-scale farmers to produce a variety of maize-based healthy and tasty foods and snacks. BDELO's products are gluten-free, have no preservatives, and are halal certified.
The company's products include maize and sukuma tortilla chips, maize and millet tortilla chips, as well as maize and chia tortilla chips. BDELO also produces taco shells and soft tortillas, inspired by Mexican nachos. The company's products are a fusion of Kenyan heritage and Mexican cuisine.
Preparation of BDELO's products involves the traditional Mexican method of nixtamalisation, which removes the husk from the kernel. This method enriches the nutritional value of the products. The nixtamalised maize is then made into a dough that can make a variety of base products. Tortilla chips are made into thin sheets and fried before packaging.
BDELO adopts a mixed marketing strategy to achieve cost-effective marketing objectives. The company participates in events and community activities, and is currently working on export opportunities to the Middle East. Locally, the company has faced challenges, including the closure of Nakumatt and Uchumi supermarkets, which resulted in huge losses and the loss of customers.
Despite these challenges, Jebiwott remains optimistic about the future of BDELO. She hopes that the business will grow to be a global supplier of choice for high-quality foods and snacks. The company plans to diversify into other foods, focusing on organic products, and continue to nourish and delight its customers while contributing to the development of local opportunities.
