On Friday, 13th November, 2020, MWDL in partnership with Dedan Kimathi University of Technology launched coffee flavoured yoghurt. The yoghurt was developed using arabica coffee extracts. The idea was incubated at Dedan Kimathi University in 2013, and a pilot production of the coffee yoghurt was done by Mukurwe-ini Wakulima Dairy Limited in February 2020. The production and launch of the coffee flavoured yoghurt product, was co-ordinated by Dedan Kimathi University innovators, and production, Quality Assurance and marketing departments of Mukurwe-ini Wakulima Dairy Limited.
Both DeKUT and MWDL have embraced an entrepreneurial mind-set and culture. Entrepreneurial culture and mind-set change are crucial in helping one to think of what they are doing and the reason therein. It also helps in knowing where one would like their business to lead, and the risks they are willing to take to succeed. The coffee flavour yoghurt innovation came up as a result of identification of a market gap, and DeKUT and MWDL have designed a solution to address this gap.
In this regard, Karatina University being partners with Mukurwe-Ini Wakulima Dairy and having been part of the guests invited to oversee the launch, has been challenged to take up a move towards creating an innovative product. Mukurwe-ini Wakulima Dairy Limited (MWDL) is willing to grow its range of yoghurt flavours. Karatina University food technologists and marketing specialists can engage the management of MWDL and develop proposals that will lead in production and launch of different yoghurt flavours. The two institutions will co-own the patents. If the newly developed yoghurt flavours are commercialized, Karatina University will earn an extra coin through royalties.
