8 Women Entrepreneurs Putting Kenya on the Global Business Map
By Amina Faki
“There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.” – Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first female entrepreneur millionaire.
The business world is purported to be male dominated, despite the hustle a number of Kenyan women have tremendously flourished in this sector as the most successful entrepreneurs:
The following are among top successful and re-known female entrepreneurs in Kenya who have mastered and navigated entrepreneurship world to become CEOs of multibillion companies:
Flora Mutahi, Founder and CEO Melvin’s Tea
Flora Mutahi is the chair lady of Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). She was appointed the first ever female chairperson of KAM on 21st July 2016.
The Kenyan tea tycoon and founder and CEO Melvin Marsh International started her first Kenyan flavored tea company in the mid-90s.
Before starting the company, she used to work for an auditing firm with clients in food processing. It was at this point that she realized the market gap and demand for flavored tea. She then decided to quit her auditing job and set up her own tea company. Her company is currently worth billions in total assets and serves both local and international markets.
It maybe harder for us women, but we need to work hard… – Ms @FloraMutahi #WomeninmanufacturingKE #GenderBellKE pic.twitter.com/TmZbKWgHWx
— KAM (@KAM_kenya) March 7, 2017
She believes that the call to recognize the economic value of women is not a call towards ‘women empowerment’ but rather, it is a wake-up call to embrace smart economics.
Tabitha Karanja, Founder and CEO Keroche Breweries
Tabitha Karanja started her breweries company. She launched Keroche Breweries in 1997, initially making fortified wine and later moving into spirits and, from 2008, beer using capital acquired from her hardware in Naivasha.
Her company, Keroche Breweries is the second largest liquor producing company in Kenya after East Africa Breweries Limited.
Women entrepreneurs have to work harder than their male counterparts in order to succeed because of the need to balance family and work
— Tabitha Karanja (@TabithaKaranja) July 20, 2015
Its main brands are Summit Lager, summit Malt, Valley wines, Pinotage’, Savignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Crescent Range of Spirits and Viena Ice and Viena Ice Ready to Drink Vodkas.
Gina Din Kariuki, Founder and CEO Gina Din
The 55-year-old Gina Dina is a successful business woman and mother of two from Nanyuki. She is specialized in strategic communication an