Kenya-based food tech startup, Kune has announced that it is stopping its operations and services according to a statement from the startup's Founder and CEO Robin Reecht.

The statement was posted on Robin's LinkedIn page where he expressed that a stifled economy and inflated food prices are major reasons why the decision was made.“With the current economic downturn and investment markets tightening up, we were unable to raise our next round. Coupled with rising food costs deteriorating our margins, we just couldn’t keep going,” Robin disclosed.

However, this update is coming up 11 months after Kune raised $1 million in a pre-seed round led by Launch Africa Ventures and barely 4 months after the startup began commercial operations at established meal centres around Nairobi.

The startup had also disclosed in March that it was looking to raise $3.5 million in its second round of funding.

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Robin also recanted some of the reasons why he launched the business as he also called for other employers to consider employing members of his team. “After three days of coming into Kenya, I asked where I can get great food at a cheap price, and everybody tell [sic] me it’s impossible,” he said. “It’s impossible because either you go to the street and you eat street food, which is really cheap but with not-so-good quality, or you order on Uber Eats, Glovo or Jumia, where you get quality but you have to pay at least $10.”

Addressing investors, he disclosed: “Not only did you invest in Kune but you gave us your time, brain-width, connections, and emotional support. I am deeply sorry that Kune’s vision didn’t come true. To betray your confidence is something for which I will never forgive myself.”