Kevian Kenya, renowned for its popular Afia and Pick n Peel fruit juices, is a prominent manufacturer and distributor of beverages in East and Southern Africa. In addition to fruit juices, the company produces energy drinks, non-alcoholic malt drinks, and tomato sauce, among other products.
Recently, the President of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, approached Kimani Rugendo, the owner of Kevian, with a proposal to invest in Malawi. The President emphasized that Malawi has a plentiful supply of fruits, which could serve as abundant raw material for Kevian's agro-processing operations.
In response, President Chakwera pledged to create investor-friendly policies that would facilitate the growth of Kevian and other businesses, contribute to the economy, and enhance the country's export capabilities.
Expressing his support on his Facebook page, the President stated, "I have encouraged Mr. Rugendo to consider Malawi as his next investment destination, given the presence of numerous fruit farmers across the country who can readily provide the raw materials needed for agro-processing operations. I am pleased that Mr. Rugendo has expressed his intention to explore how his venture can make a positive impact within our market. He is also considering involving other Kenyan private sector players in this endeavor."
Mr. Rugendo established Kevian Kenya in 1992 after retiring from politics, launching his first product, the Mt Kenya water brand. Since then, the company has experienced remarkable growth. In 2014, Kevian expanded its product line to include non-alcoholic malt drinks, aiming to compete with major soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola and regional brewer East African Breweries, which produce similar beverages.
To ensure a steady supply of fresh produce, Kevian has formed partnerships with GTZ, the Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA), and the Ministry of Agriculture, offering extension services to farmers.
In July 2020, Kevian ventured into the potato production business through a collaboration with the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO). Under the agreement, Kevian agreed to commercialize five high-yielding potato seed varieties from KALRO, aiming to increase the production of specific potato varieties required by multinational franchises that had long relied on imports.
KALRO granted Kevian a 15-year contract to produce potato tubers, targeting 50,000 farmers. As part of the deal, Kevian agreed to remit 2.5% of its annual sales to KALRO.
