Ronald Otieno
During a football match between Obunga and Kolwa FC we spotted a woman serving the fans what at first looked like hot brown tea or yoghurt.
Turns out it was Uji Power, that is now retailing an street corners served in plastic recyclable tumblers with a spoon which to me is very creative way that this fad has evolved to that it is now competing Kenya’s ubiquitous kahawa moto.
From nyuka
Uji pawa derived from the words ‘Uji’ which is Porridge and ‘pawa’ from the English ‘Power’ to mean ‘’Porridge that contains strength’’ is one of the rising lucrative delicacy business in Kenya.
What started off as adding a few extra ingredients like sim-sim and groundnuts to spice up porridge, first evolved into claims of virility and extra health benefits that have transformed Kenya’s popular porridge into a signature drink.
Kisumu’s lakeside people have traditionally made Nyuka- the local version served calabashes that provided quantity as well as age old formular that could be drunk with or without sugar, fermented or laced with lemon.
But porridge is entering public space today, as a mystery elixir one of the most loved street food among others like the ‘mayai pasua’ the famous ‘mtura’, and the barbecued ‘smokies’.
Goalless draw
My first encounter with Uji Power was back during corona period in 2021 when some strange guy on a black mask popped in the office with three jugs, two flasks and a hand bag that contained mugs inside.
At first we knew he was selling the normal ‘kahawa’ that is always being hawked in offices and door to door.
It turned out to be Uji Pawa which the guy effectively marketed pouring some sample in one of the mugs he was carrying, confident of its abilities which he relished. Hii inaitwa Uji Pawa’.
All I saw was a whitish extra thick porridge like liquid and him calling it out to us for the first time since he realized we never had an idea to what he was selling. He claimed this was not just an ordinary porridge extolling several benefits to human health.
At first this just sounded to me as a marketing and I did not pay much attention to it. It was ridiculous that the reason to why men love it is because of its boost towards the male virility which also sounded cocky to me since this was just a porridge only that it had may be a different color and thickness.
Little did I know it was urban legend. Even my colleague attested to what the vendor was saying which got us into uncontrollable laughter and this also left me curious as to what else does this porridge contains. I mean it is just porridge why would it be given all this glorifying praises.
From there hence forth it came to my attention that this is something that has been, and apparently it was just still new thing on the lakeside region, places like the capital city, Nairobi had got already young folks whom were reaping substantial gains from the business.
Alice Kamau a young lady from Kimbo narrates to her fan-base on tick tock how she earns a hundred and twenty eight thousand monthly just to invest on her business with fifty thousand Kenyan shillings, which is also a quite inspiring story.
Uji Pawa’ Ingredients.
- Arrowroots
- Cassava
- Peanuts
- Hot Milk
- Honey
- Or Sugar
Boil the arrowroots, cut into small pieces and put them in a blender. Add roasted peanuts, hot milk and honey or Sugar, add a little amount of water, then blend using a blending machine.
Claimed health Benefits of Uji Power
- Uji Power’s Nutrient-rich composition Improves Basic Body Functions (Male virility)
- Uji Power Promotes Digestive Wellness
- Sustained Energy Release
- It Boosts Micronutrients
- Uji Power Improves Heart Health
- Uji Power Helps in Weight Loss
- Antioxidant Support
- Uji Power helps in Blood Sugar Regulation
- Bone Health
- Boosts the Immune System
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