By Denise A. O. Kodhe

Kenya: The introduction of instant noodles by Nissin Foods Holdings Company of Japan in Kenya is a great initiative aimed at promoting cultural ties between Japan and Kenya. Japan established relations with Kenya nearly sixty years ago and since then has been instrumental in the development of country by supporting projects in areas of health, Agriculture , education, engineering, Environment and social Forestry.

Jomo Kenyatta University College of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT) is a leading project by Japan not only in Kenya but in Africa. JKUAT is an institution of its own kind providing technical education in Agriculture and technology not only in Kenya but also in East and Central Africa.  Japan through its technical Cooperation Agency arm (JICA) has been supporting JKUAT and other projects in Kenya by providing loan assistance and technical cooperation support.

Japan will focus more in building capacity in Human resources development as the Japanese Ambassador Tatsushi Terada rightly said recently during the ceremony to launch the partnership between of Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd of Japan and JKUAT at the African Institute of Capacity building.

Terada added that during the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD V) held in Yokohama, Japan last year in June, japan pledged widely a variety of assistance to Africa and is committed to do so. According to Terada Business education initiative for Youth (ABE) is one of the major assistance by his country to Africa.

ABE initiative is a five year strategic plan providing 1000 young men and women from Africa with opportunities to study business management and Entrepreurship in Japanese universities as well as doing internship at Japanese enterprises.

Nissin and JKUAT have entered into partnership to establish factory in Kenya at the University to produce instant noodle. Nissin is the first noodle manufacturer in the world. Its partnership with Jomo Kenyatta university college of Agriculture (JKUAT) is the first such public business engagement between japan and Kenya. The factory is estimated to cost half a billion Kenya shillings and will employ over fifty people when completed. It will be built in a two acres piece of land at the university.

Noodle is a famous Japanese traditional delicacy not only popular in Japan but in the whole world especially among the younger generation. Besides being tasty and easy to make Noodles are safe and affordable. Unlike other dishes which takes some time to prepare cup-noodles only requires little hot water for less than five minutes to be ready. Food and Sports are natural cultural values which are very significant and crucial in promoting and creating good understanding between people to people.

Japan is on a mission to bring Africa closer and to woe investment in the continent as recently demonstrated by its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he visited three Africa nations of Upper Volta, Mozambique and Ethiopia. Abe who according many observers in Japan is the most stable Prime Minister and who is likely to finish his term in office as compared to his  previous predecessors is determined to ensure that the presence of his country in Africa is not only felt but also productive for mutual benefit for the people of Africa and Japan.

Although his visit to Africa has roughed feathers of other partners in Africa, Japan seems to have an upper hand when it comes to dealing with African issues because of its neutrality and liberal behavior when it comes to handling international issues. Most African looks forward to japan and are confident that japan has the capacity to Africa to its next level of development fifty years after independence. 

Nissin and JKUAT have been collaborating since 2008 through the “Odisha Project”.  Oishi is one of the company’s 100 Corporate Social Responsibility projects started in commemoration of Nissin’s 50 years anniversary in 2008.The project is in line with Nissins corporate philosophy that Peace will come to the world when there is enough food for everywhere.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Nissin Mr.  Koki Ando the collaboration between his company and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is to foster instant noodles facility in Kenya and Africa. Since 2008 Nissin has been providing as donation instant noodles to school children in Kenya. According to statistics out of 8.2 million pupils in Kenya on 1.2 million get meals in schools. The idea by Nissin will help to promote and strengthen the relationship and friendship between Kenya and Japan.It will also create a better understanding among the people of Japan and Africa.

Currently Japan through its Oversees Development Agency (ODA) has also been supporting infrastructural development especially the construction of roads and bridges. It. is currently involved extensively in energy production at geothermal power plant in Olkaria

Ando believes that noodles production in Africa will contribute greatly in increasing food security as well as the economic development of the people in Africa. Food security as a perennial issue in most African countries especially the Horn of Africa. Currently nearly fourteen million people are threatened with starvation in the horn of Africa as a result of global and climatic changes.

In most African countries, children are malnourished and dying at infant ages because most families are poor and is not able to get enough amount of required food per day to feed the children. Mortality rate among children in Kenya is high between 4-5 % but with improved food security and medical attention it can easily become low.

The writer is the Executive Director, Institute for Democracy & Leadership in Africa- IDEA