By by Hempstone Odhiambo Oguna
Historically, Ghetto food which also can be referred to as Street food meaning generated from the streets as it started as people from the low class such as Juakali workers could readily feast on since it was easy and less time consumable to prepare them. They are mostly food in busy streets where hawkers in a spacious open area, to target customers to purchase from them. It is a small business opportunity that most is not licensed, I shudder to think about it where the government does not give permits to it? Or the owners take a blind eye? In Kenya, people nickname the sellers of this commodity according to their products, age and gender. For example, “Mama Chipo”, “Baba Kaimati”, “Mzee wa Mtura”, “Mama Orenge” etc. It is not because these people do not have names, the people believe they can be easily be recalled by what they sell, and that how these names can to be generated.
EXAMPLES OF GHETTO FOOD
Kaimati: It is a small rounded mandazi sold by sellers during morning hours and late afternoons. Thet are about 3-4 cm of radius depending on who is making them. It was originally sold at one Kenya shilling but due to fluctuation of the economy it is nowadays sold “tatu- five” meaning for every three kaimati, you pay five shillings.
Chipo Mwitu: These are fries made locally meaning wild fries. Unlike in fancy restaurants and big hotels where they use cookers, cooking gases etc., they are prepared mostly using firewood and charcoals. They are potatoes sliced in a unique way to shape a normal French fry. They are served in small polythene papers or newspapers.
Mutura: It is a traditional African sausage prepared by grind meat, blood and added some spices that is also sold in the streets. It is usually in the shape of small closed cylinder at about 3 cm of radius and 3 cm and 4 cm of height. When it is fully prepared it takes the form of brown-Ish depending on what ingredients the seller might have added.
Orenge: These are parts of chicken mostly of legs, wings and head. They’re deep fried and added salt. Each part cost different due to size and the meat it contains. The head back in the days costed five Kenyan shilling, the leg was sold at one Kenyan shilling and wings cost five Kenyan shilling. There prices today are not known, maybe because I have outgrown them? Or maybe I am out of touch with the community?
Mayai Boilo: It means boiled egg. The eggs are been boiled using water and when ready it is served hot with “kachubari”, a mixture of chopped onions, tomatoes and hot pauper. It is kept warm by a movable troller during selling.
Bajia: It is another popular Kenyan street dish that is similar in taste as French fries but different in terms of appearance. They consist of thinly rounded sliced potatoes added flour and deep fried. It is mostly sold beginning from as low as ten Kenyan shillings.
BENEFITS
- Cheap
- Less time to prepare them
- Rich in nutrients
- Job opportunity
DISADVANTAGES
- Pollutions since the polythene bags and newspapers are carelessly thrown away
- It may lead to health issues when not properly prepared
- Since it is made in an open space it may cause contaminations
\In conclusion, Ghetto food is part of our community but it is up to us to be wise where we get it from. The local sellers should get permits from the government to be allowed to sell their commodities. The government should regularly supervise the services rendered by these local sellers to ensure a health environment by providing more litter bins.
