Kenya has emerged as a hub for innovative and entrepreneurial women, who are breaking barriers and making strides in the male-dominated world of startups.
Despite facing a myriad of challenges such as funding constraints, lack of mentorship, and societal expectations, these women have persevered and succeeded in their respective fields.
In this article, WoK highlights top 20 women who are running successful startups in Kenya.
Linda Kamau
Linda Kamau is the brains behind SowPrecise, a farm management system tailor-made for the African farmers to communicate with farm labourers and help them keep track of farming activities.
This technology enables farmers to monitor their farms from any location and keep track of what is happening in the farm with ease.
According to her LinkedIn, she holds a degree in Applied Communications from Multimedia University and Bachelors of Science in Information Systems Technology from USIU.
Kamau also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nicosia.
Louisa Gathecha
Louisa Gathecha is the founder of Bottle Logistics EA Ltd who recover industrial and post-consumer glass waste and processes it.
The glass waste are processed into highly refined glass cullet, glass aggregate and clean reusable bottles for respective brand owners.
They start up recovers glass jars and bottles including wines and spirits glass bottles, water glass bottles, cosmetic glass bottles and glass jars.
Louisa studied Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Marketing at the University of Nairobi and Chartered Institute of Marketing respectively.
Kaimuri Karauki
Kaimuri Kariuki is the founder of Learning Differently Limited, a learning platform made for students with learning disabilities.
The training equips parents, teachers, and caregivers with practical learnings that they can incorporate to support their learners.
They also coach learners to identify and use their unique learning styles for success in school and in life.
Kaimuri holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Daystar University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from USIU.
Terryanne Chebet
Terryanne Chebet is widely known as a broadcast journalist and brand influencer.
On the side, she is the founder of Keyara Botanics, a skincare label making natural products using raw materials sourced locally.
They make among other products Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut oil, Macadamia Oil and Black African Soap selling at affordable prices.
Chebet holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication and Media Technology from Maseno University.
Rinah Lidonde
Rinah Lidonde is the co-founder of Be Afrika Media, a content creation startup that also provides a space for creatives to connect, showcase their work and find job opportunities.
Rinah founded the company alongside her sister, Marita Lidonde.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Communications and Media from Monash University.
Yolanda Odida
Yolanda Odida is the brains behind Pure Purple, a footwear and accessories brand adding premium value to locally sourced leather.
Diana Ocholla
Diana Ocholla is the co-founder of Nature’s Touch, manufacturing natural shea-based skincare products.
Founded in 2017, the company’s products comprise of shea body butters, kids and baby balms and lip balms.
Nature’s Touch distributes within 6 towns in Kenya and an eCommerce website that enables shopping and shipping of products.
Ocholla founded the company alongside Caroline Ngugi.
Alice Muhuhu
Alice Muhuhu is the proprietor of Aurora Health Systems, producing a wearable medical device that uses wireless technology to monitor heart rate and abnormal ECG findings.
While using the system, data is generated in real-time and linked to smartphones for a period of 21 days, and as such, preventing acute cardiac conditions.
Rachel Okeyo
Rachel Okeyo is the proprietor of Arbres Biotech, an agricultural start-up specializing in producing quality affordable seedlings using tissue culture technology.
The company uses tissue culture technology to produce quality affordable seedlings for nurseries in Kenya.
She holds an MSc. in Biosciences from the University of Nottingham and a Ph.D. in Plant Genetics from the University of Nairobi.
Phelisia Oketch
Phelisia Oketch runs Sello Designs, a social business that designs and makes sustainable, durable, and timeless bags using leather and kitenge fabric.
She has also been working as a Fashion Designer and Operations Manager at Sello Design House for 8 years.
Oketch holds a Diploma in Tourism and Travel Services Management from Graffins College.
Tracy Kimari
Tracy Kimari is the founder of Offspring, providing easy access to products, services and information to individuals transitioning into parenthood.
She founded the company in 2017 after quitting her job in the finance industry where she had been working for three years.
Tracy holds a degree in Finance and Business Administration from Strathmore University.
Annete Manwa
Annete Manwa is the founder of On My Mind, helping breastfeeding moms with low milk supply to meet their breastfeeding goals.
The start up also promotes their health and wellness by value addition to organic and products such as herbal teas and lactation cookies.
Naom Monari
Naom Monari is the founder of Benacare, a nursing solution for people with life-limiting illnesses in Kenya.
The start up also assists those in need of assisted living, to enable them to live as independently as possible.
Its 21 nurses and physiotherapists offer home-based care to patients at between Ksh 1,500 and Ksh 4,000 a day depending on the level of care.
She founded the company while she was still a nursing student alongside Brian Anjwang’
Chanya Mwanyota
Chanya Mwanyota is the proprietor of Soul Food formerly known as Mataam Swahili restaurant and founded in 2018.
While starting off, she only sold Swahili cuisines but demand for Nigerian cuisine from a neighbouring church informed the need to create the company’s first virtual restaurant, Naija Plate.
She went on to create six more virtuals soon after.
Her virtual restaurants process up to 100 orders a day with prices ranging between Ksh 100 and Ksh 2,500 a meal.
Anzanzi Kiti
Anzazi Kiti is the founder of Taste Afrique, a company that manufactures, distributes and sells natural food seasoning products.
She started the business with Ksh 4,800 capital.
The unique name for her spices was inspired by both Swahili and her native language. The name Chibundiro is derived from bunda in Swahili which means grinding.
Pamela Muriuki
Pamela Muriuki is the founder and CEO of Gift Chain Africa Limited, a gifting management platform that allows customers to buy, send and redeem vouchers through their phones.
The e-voucher can be used by visiting the company’s redemption partners, picking the preferred gift, and paying using the eVoucher.
Muriuki holds a first-class honor degree in economics with mathematics from Maseno University.
Joyce Kibe
Joyce Kibe is the co-founder and CEO of Green Innovation Ventures Enterprises Limited, providing rural people with clean energy and appliances on a rent-to-own model.
She came up with idea of founding the company while working for the National Oil Corporation of Kenya as a manager in charged of retail and distribution of oil-based energy products.
Kibe is an alumnus of Egerton University.
Elixabeth Kusia
Elizabeth Kusia runs Siago, an e-commerce fashion store that makes and sells unique, luxury and free-size dresses targeting plus-size career women.
Lesley Mbogo
Lesley Mbogo is the founder of GoBEBA Everything Limited, offering online retail of household essentials delivered within an hour.
They startup relies on technology to provide convenience, reduce costs as well as use machine learning for demand planning and delivery optimization.
She previously worked at M-KOPA Solar as a Head of Mobile Platforms.
Melanie Hapisu
Melanie Hapisu runs DigiPath Africa, a marketing agency helping businesses navigate their way online and take their products and services to existing and new customers.
The start up offers digital marketing strategy development, social media marketing, digital advertising, email marketing, website development and management and more.
She is a Business and Information Technology graduate from Strathmore University.
