Conflict with KFC: Fries dispute in Kenya before the end

For weeks, Kenyan farmers and the snack bar chain KFC had been at odds over where the potatoes that the company sells are grown. An agreement has now been reached.

The uprising against the global snack bar chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Kenya had lasted a few weeks – now there is a reason for the chicken roaster to take a deep breath. The indispensable side dish – the French fries – is now to be grown in the potato-growing country of Kenya itself. The problems with importing chips from abroad would then come to an end – and the embarrassing accusation that Kenyans could not grow KFC’s potato specialties themselves, too.

Great outrage across Kenya

And so it was like a liberation when Kenya’s Minister of Agriculture Peter Munya announced the probable end of a suffering that had been going on for far too long. “KFC and we will work together now,” Munia told the press. “KFC has now found the people with whom they want to plant new potato varieties. They should then receive potatoes from us by June.” The people are the farmers and the varieties are the potatoes, which lend themselves well to fries and which KFC places on the plate alongside its chicken products as global.

The potatoes have so far come from abroad; mainly Europe, but also from Egypt. When supplies faltered after the Christmas holidays, which fall during the main vacation period in Kenya, the customers were initially amazed, then outcry: the shortage of fries became a national emergency, and the quick-fryer became a bogeyman. The press and television reported that customers were furious. And not only that: Danson Ndegwa, manager of the potato processor “KG Fries”, vented his anger: “Our farmers have been in the agricultural business for a long time, and they can offer the varieties that the customers want.” And the length too: “They are usually as long as my middle finger.”

Tens of thousands of servings every month

Such promises have not been enough for KFC for a long time. Almost a little grumpy, the company said a week ago that they were already buying meat products, oil, flour and the burger buns from Kenya, each 100 percent. KFC has not yet struck gold with the potato farmers.

So now the liberation, which should ensure a better mood at the snack bar again. After all, 30,000 snack portions go over the Kenyan shop counter every month – and who wants to mess with so many customers?