Bungoma Man Wins Ugali Eating Competition After Finishing Two Kilograms in 35 Minutes

A man in Bungoma has elicited mixed reactions after finishing two kilograms of ugali in just 35 minutes to take the ‘Ugali King’ title.

Tony Wamalwa from Kanduyi won the annual ugali eating competition held in Kibabii after outdoing his rival Anthony Nyongesa in the ‘final’.

The rules of the competition were simple, eating two kilograms of ugali, with an accompaniment of omena stew and washing it down with water.

Wamalwa and Nyongesa had been advised against eating anything to prepare their stomachs for the grueling competition ahead.  

As is the norm in the yearly competition, the dish comprising stone-hard ugali and wet-fried fingerlings was prepared in the open, as all spectators and participants witnessed, and served hot.

Nyongesa, donning a red t-shirt, and Wamalwa in a multi-colored top took their position against plates full of steaming hot ugali and bowls of their preferred accompaniments.

After 35 minutes of hand-and-mouth coordination with fans cheering them on, Wamalwa emerged as the winner with Nyongesa barely quarter way through.

The event takes place annually and the champion usually receives maize seeds and fertilizer to use during the planting season. In addition, Wamalwa was also awarded tree seedlings.