By Fred Maingi
Meru born Ian Mutwiri has appealed to Kenyans to invest in herbal products which he believes are effective in containing chronic diseases.
Mutwiri who operates from Redhill in Kiambu has been supplying and distributing his herbal pastes to various supermarkets, individuals according to orders.
His products which are approved by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) include herbal juices which are ready to drink.
His products are effective in treating chronic ailments like Blood Sugar, heart related diseases, blood pressure, cancer, and containing covid pandemic among others
Mutwiri feels all treatment, vaccination, examination and services should be provided free of charge or at a very low cost since the Government collects taxes from Kenyans.
Ian Farm House, a processor of tamarind fruit products was founded in 2018 purely for value addition purposes.
He began his business in a tiny kitchen in lower kabete where he started by making 250 grams Tamarind paste.
He owned only a meko and small cooking pots. Mutwiri was not sure that people would buy his products.
Mutwiri started by selling it to his neighbors and friends.
Three months later, more people started requesting for the product, as demand increased, it made sense to brand and commercialise the product.He did his labels and migrated to glass jars.
Mwaniki said his business was boosted in 2019 when KEBS approved the Tamarind Paste ready for market.The feedback from his clients gave him confidence to progress.
He delivered samples to big stores in Nairobi and succeeded in penetrating the Healthy U stores which deals with quality organic products.
He went on to add “We sold 350 grams jars, during the onset of the pandemic. Coincidentally, people realised our products were good for boosting the immune system”
“Early 2021, mutwiri added, we simplified the product to expand our reach and appeal.
Business grew and we launched a premier product,our ready-to-drink Marisha juice which has different exciting flavours. It is ideal for road trips, post workouts, kids, office and as a whisky accompaniment”he noted