Gone are the days, some three decades earlier, when Big G was a household name in Kenya. Big G was loved by the old, young and everyone in between.
These days, the chewing gum market is dominated by Wrigley’s PK and Juicy Fruit, and Trident chewing gum.
But did you know the gum Big G was named after a successful Kenyan businessman? Sir George Owino.
In this article, we shall embark on the ‘sweet’ success story of George Owino, the brains behind Kenya’s first widely-loved chewing gum.
George Owino was born in 1941. Hailing from a humble background, he was the son of Patrick Owidh and Maria Obiero. Owino studied at Sega Primary School and then proceeded to Shimo la Tewa Intermediate School.
Sir George Owino was a man of great ambition and drive. He was a visionary who believed in creating products to improve people’s lives.
Growing up, he was always interested in the world of business. He would spend his days reading entrepreneurship books and magazines, dreaming of someday starting his own company.
After finishing school, Sir George worked for a few years as a sales representative for various companies. However, he knew that he wanted more. He wanted to create something that would make a lasting impact on the world.
In the 1970s, Sir George Owino made history by becoming the first Kenyan to work at Wrigleys, a US-based multinational chewing gum company.
The company has spanned its longevity for more than 100 years, dominating as the largest manufacturer and marketer of chewing gum. It has outlets in over 150 countries.
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Kenya’s Wrigley subsidiary, located along Mombasa road, was established in 1972. Among their popular brands include Juicy Fruit, Spearman, Hubba Bubba, Orbit and Double Mint.
Owino’s employment came with resistance to the conventional method of making chewing gum pellets. He didn’t like it, which led to Big G’s creation.
George Owino didn’t rest on his laurels until he came up with the perfect formula after months of researching the best ingredients and manufacturing process.
Big G became an instant success as soon as it hit the shelves. Its size and flavour made it an irresistible magnet for many, including those who indulged in chewing khat ‘miraa’.
The gum was given a striking red colour with distinct yellow lettering, making it a formidable competitor to big names in the market, such as PK, Juicy Fruit, and Orbit.
Sir George’s dream had become a reality, and he was overjoyed at the response to his creation. He continued to innovate and improve the product, adding new flavours and textures to keep people interested.
George Owino was promoted to become chairman of Wrigley East Africa, where he worked until his retirement in 1998.
During his tenure, he also expanded the company, hiring more staff and opening up new distribution channels.
Big G became a symbol of Kenya’s entrepreneurial spirit, with Sir George’s story inspiring others to pursue their dreams and create their own businesses.
He passed on in 2004, but his legacy continues to live. Sir George was a true visionary who reminded us that anything is possible with hard work, determination and a little creativity.
