Kitchen Posho Mill That Grinds Maize to Unga in 30 Seconds Ignites Conversation

In the heart of Kenya's rural communities, the iconic posho mill, once a familiar sight in villages, has undergone a remarkable transformation, propelled by advancements in technology and a growing quest for efficiency.

The new innovation, called the Newtry grain grinder, is popular because of its power - it can grind maize to fine flour within 30 seconds.

Shedding off the conventional heavy load, the machine is portable, durable and efficient.

On Amazon, the Newtry grain grinder costs Ksh18,706 while in some online shops in Kenya, the machine ranges from Ksh13,000 to Ksh20,000.

The grinder is cost-efficient as compared to a traditional posho mill that costs around Ksh50,000 and can go up to Ksh100,000 based on the type.

The machine ignited a conversation on social media, with the majority opining that the new technology could lead to job losses.

"Is this the end of the iconic posho mill? With innovation and technology, anything is possible. That machine, which once dotted our landscape, defined our traditional setups, and symbolized human pride, has, conveniently, now found its way into the kitchen."

"It's believed that serious rituals had to take place in the village before a posho mill was installed. Anyone with this iconic machine was respected and identified with it. With new innovations taking over, some are losing their jobs and titles," read a comment from Edward Mwasi, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board.

Some, however, raised concerns about the electricity consumption of the new device, wondering about the number of tokens it would gobble to produce a 2-kilogram packet of flour.

According to the machine's features on Amazon, it consists of a stainless steel material which also assists in reducing pollution during processing.

It consists of three layers of quenching blades to assist in forming a three-dimensional circulation. The copper wire motor assists in generating high power which in turn results in a stronger force.

"Due to the strong power of the motor, it is normal to generate little heat and noise during use. The machine has an overload switch, when the machine is overloaded, the power is automatically cut off to ensure the operation of the machine without burning the motor, no need to change the fuse," read part of the product features.

The traditional posho mill commonly known as 'kisiagi' is popular in Kenya, especially with ugali still a staple meal in the country. With the high cost of living and a 2-kg of maize flour retailing at an average of Ksh200, many Kenyans who depend on ugali for survival have turned to posho mills.