About us
Food Innovation Rooted in People, Agriculture and Purpose
From agricultural commodities to convenient, nutritious foods, our journey is built around creating value for consumers and farmers.
Our Story
The origins of the company trace back to 2009, when it was established by Rose Mutuku, a woman entrepreneur with a dream of creating structured and sustainable markets by supporting smallholder food production systems and creating wealth in the communities within. The company initially focused on sorghum aggregation and marketing, then expanded into other product lines of food staples, pulses and oilseeds.
Growth followed the value chain. The company moved into regional agricultural commodity markets, then export trade, then processing, innovating technologies to deliver tasty products with enhanced nutritional value from commodities it already knew how to source.
Sayari Foods is the consumer-facing result: a range of nutritious, convenient foods built on micronutrient-rich beans, supported by investment in production systems, land, factory and equipment, qualified staff and the support systems needed to serve the market with safe, quality products.
The future strategy is pegged to increasing investment in large-scale production and value addition, and to incorporating farmers in the Board, a move towards making the company a truly farmer-oriented business.
We are looking forward to investing in grain facilities for quality preservation and value addition as we firmly root our operations in production by partnering with farmers and welcome them to steer the company to truly become Africa the leading agro-processing and commodities company
Eric Wamulevu, Board Chairperson
Milestones
How We Got Here
2009
Smart Logistics Solution established by Rose Mutuku, focused on sorghum aggregation and marketing.
2012
Ventured into regional markets, importing agricultural commodities from Uganda and Tanzania and supplying agro-food processors in Kenya.
2015
Undertook export trade of agro-commodities, mainly exporting pulses to India.
2016
Developed Beansy precooked beans and set up a processing unit to mass produce it, 3 tonnes of beans per day.
2018
Developed Frejols precooked bean flour and installed a flour unit milling 2 tonnes of beans per day.
2021
Added noodle capacity for 20,000 packs of bean-enhanced noodles per day; developed the Mobile Aggregation Centre system and PIMAPP, which pays contracted farmers instantly.
2022
Developed Nutriplus porridge flour, began procuring an automated line for 4 tonnes per day, and signed a contract to supply dried vegetables to the American market.
Today
Five products in market, two about to launch, and a farmer network of more than 10,000.
Mission
To source, process, develop and supply affordable, nutritious foods for a healthy lifestyle while providing sustainable markets for our smallholder farmers.
Vision
A leading processor of convenient and nutritious foods in East Africa.
Our values
How SLS Operates
Our core values reflect who we are and what we do. They ensure the effectiveness of our integrated and structured market approach, which helps us achieve our purpose of providing high quality, safe, convenient and nutritious foods to our markets.
01
Dedication and Commitment
Dedication and commitment to the vision of the company.
02
Excellence and Flexibility
Excellence and flexibility in everything we do.
03
Integrity
Do right and far exceed expectations daily.
04
Loyalty
Loyalty to the people and partnerships the business is built on.
05
Innovation
Innovation in products, processes and market models.
06
Teamwork
Teamwork across every department and farmer group.
07
Respect
Honour the dignity, inclusion and diversity of others.
08
Ethics
Respect for diversity and other opinions, responsible, teachable, supportive and caring for others.
Leadership
We achieve our vision through a skilled management team headed by a Board of Directors. The company has five functional departments, Supply Chain and Trade, Processing, Sales and Marketing, Finance and Administration, and Business Development and Strategy, each headed by a competent strategic manager, with the CEO overseeing overall operations and strategy.
Rose Mutuku
Founder and CEO
Holds an MBA in Marketing and an MA in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, plus a postgraduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. A logistician by profession with past experience at Diageo International, private manufacturing and the public service.
Eric Mulevu
Operations Director
Shareholder and Chair of the Board of Directors, supporting the company across key strategic initiatives. Holds a masters in International Relations from the University of Nairobi, with extensive senior-management experience in public and private organisations.
Michael Mwalali
Head of Business Development and Strategy
Supports the strategic development and implementation of business objectives across departments, and stakeholder management. Holds an International Business Management degree from the United States International University.
Stephen Kimeu
Head of Finance and Administration
A qualified accountant with strong leadership and team-building skills and a background in administration. Brings rich microfinance management experience; holds a B.Com in Accounting and a postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources.
Emily Mwiti
Head of Sales and Marketing
A background in nutrition and dietetics supports our marketing and distribution arm, positioning the brands to reach the targeted market share, backed by extensive sales and marketing experience.
Jude Ndunda
Head of Processing
Holds a diploma in food technology and quality assurance, and is trained and certified on quality systems including HACCP and KS 1758 P2 fruit and vegetable international standards.
Patricolie Nzioka
Head of Supply Chain and Trade
Responsible for supervising and scheduling crop production and stock control. A Bachelor of Commerce graduate with technical knowledge of agronomic practices and agricultural economics, assisted by full-time field staff.