Tajdin Hussain Jaffer, the founder and chairman of Norda Industries Limited, the Kenyan manufacturer behind popular snack brands including Ringoz and Urban Bites, has died.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) announced Jaffer’s death in a condolence message, describing him as a visionary industrialist who made a lasting contribution to Kenya’s manufacturing sector.
Tajdin Jaffer was a member of the KAM Food & Beverage Sector and the KAM Lower Eastern Chapter.
Jaffer, 93, died at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi on the evening of August 28, 2026.
His death marks the loss of a businessman whose family played a significant role in building a fast-moving consumer goods manufacturing business in Kenya.
Tajdin Jaffer: The Man Behind Ringoz and Urban Bites
Jaffer founded Norda Industries in 2008 alongside his wife, Khatun Jaffer, and their grandson, Faraz Ramji.
The company has since grown into a manufacturer of a range of snacks sold in Kenya and across the East African region.
Its product portfolio includes Ringoz Crunchy Corn Rings, Urban Bites Potato Crisps, Tamu Tamu Corn Curls, Bitez Crunchy Corn, Urban Stix, Tinga Tasties and Cribaz Potato Crisps.
According to Norda Industries, Ringoz was introduced in 2019, while Urban Bites was launched in 2011. The company says its brands have become established names in the snack market.
Over the years, Norda expanded its product range to compete in Kenya’s highly competitive food and beverage market.
The company has described innovation, growth, quality and sustainability as some of the principles guiding its operations.
Norda says its operations support smallholder farmers while its products are distributed across the East African region.
Ringoz: The Corn Snack Brand
Among the products associated with Norda Industries is Ringoz, a corn-ring snack made from maize.
The product is baked rather than fried and is marketed around its crunchy texture and variety of flavours.
Ringoz comes in different pack configurations, including 12g packs sold in bales of 50, 25g packs in bales of 30 and 75g packs in bales of 12.
The brand’s colourful and playful packaging has also been designed to appeal to younger consumers and stand out on retail shelves.
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Urban Bites: Potato Crisps Made From Kenyan Potatoes
Another product linked to Norda Industries is Urban Bites, a potato crisp brand made from potatoes sourced from Kenyan smallholder farmers.
The crisps are lightly fried in vegetable oil and are available in different cuts and flavours.
Urban Bites comes in two cuts — Classic and Groovy — and has been marketed in flavours including Trendy Tomato, Samba Salt n Vinegar, Summer Salt, Party Paprika, Nairobi Nyam Chom, Funky Fruit Chutney and Perky Peri Peri.
The crisps are packaged in 30g and 120g packets.
From Rwanda to Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector
Jaffer’s business journey extended beyond Kenya.
His grandson, Faraz Ramji, previously told The East African that Jaffer had founded Sulfo Industries in Rwanda.
This business began in 1962 as a small soap-making enterprise and grew into a major manufacturer of soaps, detergents and cosmetics.
The family later expanded into Kenya’s fast-moving consumer goods sector, establishing Norda Industries in 2008.
Norda’s entry into the Kenyan market was driven by an ambition to build a local manufacturing business producing affordable consumer products.
Norda’s Difficult Journey
The company faced a major setback in June 2017 when a fire destroyed its factory.
Norda said the blaze halted operations for seven months, with losses exceeding KSh100 million.
The company rebuilt its factory and resumed operations in 2018 with increased production capacity.
Norda later emerged as the overall winner of the KPMG and Business Daily Top 100 SMEs survey in 2022.
The company has also worked with smallholder farmers, particularly potato growers, who supply some of the raw materials used in its manufacturing operations.
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KAM Mourns Industrialist
In its condolence message, KAM said Tajdin Jaffer was a valued member of the manufacturing association and praised his leadership and dedication to Kenya’s industrial sector.
“The Board and Secretariat of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) convey our deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and fraternity of Norda Industries,” the association said.
KAM said Jaffer’s legacy of resilience, innovation and service would continue to inspire those within Kenya’s manufacturing community.
The association extended its condolences to his family, colleagues, friends and the entire Norda Industries fraternity.
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