Githeri is one of Kenya's most ancient dishes — a simple but profoundly nourishing stew of whole dried maize and beans, boiled together until tender and combined with a simple tomato and onion base. It is the original staple of the Kikuyu people of central Kenya, eaten for centuries and still widely consumed across the country today.

Githeri became famous internationally in 2017 when a photograph of a Kenyan man eating githeri while waiting to vote went viral globally, inspiring memes and national pride. The Githeri man became an accidental cultural hero, representing the dignity of everyday Kenyan life and food. His photograph was later named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential images of the year.

Beyond its cultural moment, githeri is genuinely nutritious — the combination of maize and beans provides complementary amino acids that together form a complete protein. It is eaten by school children, farmers, and city workers alike and can be elevated with additions of sukuma wiki, potatoes, or a fried egg. Githeri represents the resilience and resourcefulness at the core of Kenyan food culture.