During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period characterized by widespread job insecurity, Nyandia Kamawe made the decision to resign from her job.
While many would have deemed this choice to be risky, it signified the commencement of an exciting entrepreneurial venture for Nyandia and the establishment of her Mokomaya Crafts Store.
At the time, she was employed in the branding and communication department and also instructing students in UI/UX design for web and mobile applications at a company located in Nairobi when she opted to leave her job.
Faced with a scarcity of employment opportunities, she returned to her home, where, with ample time on her hands, she began to experiment with a collection of glass bottles that had accumulated in her residence.
“I resigned and went home to do nothing, but it turns out it was a step towards self-realisation. Where I used to work, I was also mentoring some girls in design and branding. I maintained this role until the ladies graduated,” she said.
Nyadia didn’t have a lot going on, so she found herself spending her time with a glass cutter, trying to turn bottles into cool creations.
One day, she posted a picture of one of her crafts online, and to her shock, someone actually asked how much it was for sale.
After people started showing interest, Nyadia, who had previously taught design in the United States acknowledged the business opportunities available to her and chose to enhance her skills.
She leveraged her design background and her profound knowledge of color theory and combinations, her work began to attract interest and drive sales.
“I remember showcasing my merchandise at a pop up market in Karen, Nairobi. People were buying my stuff, and I couldn’t believe it. Sometimes I feel like recalling some of the products I made back then to replace them with better ones,” she stated.
Nyandia’s business model focuses on the collection of used glass bottles, which are then converted into a range of products, such as drinking glasses and decorative ornaments for home decoration.
The bottles are meticulously cut and creatively redesigned, frequently serving as unique gifts for various occasions.
“I have studied colour; this is one of my competitive edges. I know how to match them to create the desired mood,” she explained.
As the demand for her products increased, Nyandia recognized the necessity of hiring additional staff to manage the influx of orders.
Presently, her production line employs 10 individuals directly and approximately 30 indirectly.
Her commitment and distinctive craftsmanship have led her to connect with prominent figures, including Professor Muhammad Yunus, during her graduation from the SHE Stars programme, which is a collaboration between Absa, Yunus Environmental Hub, and GIZ.
Furthermore, she has been engaged to provide branded merchandise for ZEPRE, a reinsurer in Africa and a specialized institution within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), in celebration of its 30th anniversary.
In addition, East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) has collaborated with her to supply branded merchandise for the launch of its sustainability report.
She is also involved in the Rudisha Programme, a waste management initiative by EABL that aims to address glass bottle waste in Kenya.
However, marketing to Muslim consumers has posed challenges, particularly due to the use of the same machinery for cutting bottles intended for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
“Due to Halal rules, it’s difficult to market the product to them. Some of those who have seen the products say they like them but are constrained by Halal restrictions. This could mean investing in a separate Halal-compliant manufacturing line, which is costly,” she explained.
