
Owen Githanga
- Add new comment
- 14049 views
Kenyan expatriate Owen Githanga recently drew significant attention online for successfully transporting 500 chapatis from Kenya to the United States.
His remarkable logistical endeavour has resonated with the Kenyan diaspora, highlighting the lengths individuals will go to maintain culinary connections to their homeland. Githanga's recent shipment follows a previous attempt in which he transported 250 chapatis. His motivation stems from a desire to replicate the unique flavours of Kenyan chapatis, which he believes differ significantly when made with American ingredients.
"If you live in Kenya, it’s hard to understand why I carried 500 chapatis. Chapatis are abundant in Kenya; you can find them anywhere," Githanga says.
He emphasizes that while wheat flour is readily available in the US, it fails to deliver the authentic taste associated with chapatis made in Kenya. Economic factors also played a crucial role in Githanga's decision to ship chapatis. He notes the relative affordability of chapatis in Kenya compared to the exorbitant prices he would encounter in the US, where obtaining 500 chapatis could cost hundreds of dollars.
To navigate the logistics, Githanga cleverly packed some chapatis in his carry-on luggage, while others were securely wrapped and shipped through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Githanga informs potential shippers that non-perishable items such as chapatis are allowed through US customs. However, he advises checking food import regulations before shipping to avoid complications.
The food items prohibited by US Customs and Border Protection include fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry products, and dairy items such as milk and cheese, which are restricted to prevent the introduction of pests, diseases, and invasive species. The success of Githanga's chapati shipment reflects a broader trend among members of the Kenyan diaspora who seek to preserve their cultural culinary heritage while living abroad.
Comments
I thought chapatis lifespan is short. Again, what's the price of one in US?
Hii ni kiki na ufalaaa!
Waaauuu that is absolutely beautiful
Did you sell them? Hongera mtu wangu you are a real Kenyan patriot♥️
I have lived in Canada From 1972 when EDI AMEEN threw all foreigners out.
TO my surprise this our brother is telling lies.You go in any supermarket in America and Canada even in Europe you will all kind of chapati. You will be surprised how many different type of chapati and Nan you see on selves. Beeing frequent traveler I know how much the airline charges extra weight.
Please weigh how many ioo chapati weigh.
Will it make any sense to take chapati from Kenya to any place where you can buy 3o chapati/ parothas For under $ 10 $ can. Now there are so many Indians and Chinese who have big big bakeries to manufacture all kinds of cakes brads chapaties pizza do nuts.
TO THIS GENTLEMAN OUR BROTHER S AND SISTERS YOU PEOPLE ARE ALL LIARS. You are not telling truth to families the THE REAL TRUTH WHAT LIFE YOU ARE LIVING THEIR.
He should have imported unga, baking powder and kasuku oil to prepare chapati in USA
Food is special to all of us. I worked in a foreign country where there was no bread like the then Uchumi and Nakumatt bread. For real, every possible opportunity l could ship the fresh bread from Nairobi to this foreign yet developed country. With food, hakuna ufala. Wait till you visit a town with totally,,no Ugali, and you are there for a week.
Next let's have someone shipping githeri. It's a delicacy never tasted in US.
WHAT IS NEWS HERE SERIOUSLY .MWAKILSHI THIS IS STUPIDITY AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL.
SHAME ON THIS GUY MR FAT FACE ,HE SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT HIS WIFE CAN'T COOK FOR HIM .CRY BABY HAD TO GET CHAPATIS FROM HIS MOTHER IN KENYA.
SAVE ON THAT NONSENSE.
NOT NEWS WORTHY
Biashara tunayo hatuna?
Chapatis can be preserved for up to a week.
Missing the smell and taste of original home food can make you do stuff that people might think you're crazy.
I'm not surprised.
SO MR BIG FACE a.k.a Mr CHAPATIS DID HE CONTACT MWAKILSHI OR MWAKILSHI CALLED HIM BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE ANY NEWS
Good for him. Ethiopians bring tons of injera to the US from their country.
keep for promotion of our pride .you need varies tastes