ISSUE 1
Hip hop artiste Eko Dydda vouches for Made in Kenya products You need it, Kenya produces it Made In Kenya Mark Adoptees
INSIDE
www.makeitkenya.go.ke 1
MADE IN KENYA
Vision To transform Kenya into a top global Brand
Mission Brand Kenya, Export Kenyan, Build Kenya
Tagline Inspiring Global Trade The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) is a State Corporation established under the State Corporations Act Cap 446 through Legal Notice No.110 of August 9th, 2019 following the merger of the Export Promotion Council and Brand Kenya Board. Its Core Mandate is to implement export promotion and nation branding Initiatives and policies to promote Kenya’s export of goods and services.
A publication of the Kenya Export Promotion & Branding Agency (KEPROBA) Copyright © 2024
MADE IN KENYA
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Contents THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editorial ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Foreword ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5 Mark of Identity �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6 - 7 Made In Kenya Adoptees For The Period July 2022 – June 2023’ �����������������������������������������������8 -9 Hip hop artiste Eko Dydda vouches for Made in Kenya products ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 10 KIRDI: Ensuring Kenyan products meet globally accepted standard ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11- 12 Osho Chemicals seeks to create environmentally friendly Made in
Mr. Jaswinder Bedi, EBS, MBS Chairman Mr. Ambrose R.M. Ogango Director - Alt. to PS, The National Treasury Ms. Leah Aywah Baraza Director - Alt. to the Attorney General Mafaka Michael Ngugi Karanja Independent Director Mulki Warsame Mohamed Independent Director Dr. Grace Kinya Muriithi – Kireria Independent Director Floice Mukabana - Ag. Chief Executive Officer
Kenya products ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 -14 You need it, Kenya produces it ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 15 Booch: Kenyan Kombucha ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������16 -17 HACO Industries: Pioneers in Made in Kenya Products ���������� 18 - 19 The detergent maker ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20 -21 The family coffee farm ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22- 23 Revital Healthcare sets standard on Made in Kenya medical
THE EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Maureen Mambo
EDITORS: Mariam Maina-Kamau Molly Wambui
DESIGN & LAYOUT: Walter Kelvin Otieno
essentials ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 24 -25 Made In Kenya Mark Adoptees �������������������������������������������������������������������� 26 -31
CONTRIBUTORS: Getrude Mirobi Addriene Mureithi James Kariuki Njambii Josephine
Head Office Tel. +254 20 222 85 34-8; Cell: +254 722 205 875, | +254 734 228 534 Fax: + 254 20 222 85 39 | + 254 20 221 80 13 Email: chiefexe@brand.ke
DISCLAIMER
1st and 16th Floor Anniversary Towers, University Way P.O. Box 40247 00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya.
Whereas every editorial care has been taken, Kenya Export promotion and Branding Agency accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions in the articles. The views expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Agency. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publisher.
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MADE IN KENYA
Editor’s Note The Role of Branding in Promoting the “Made in Kenya” Mark Ms. Maureen Mambo Director, Nation Brand Development Marketing and Communications
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randing is about establishing a unique and compelling identity for products and businesses. In the context of the “Made in Kenya” mark, branding plays a pivotal role in driving awareness, recognition, and trust in Kenyan products, both locally and internationally. In a global marketplace crowded with similar products, branding sets Kenyan products apart. A well-crafted brand identity makes products bearing the “Made in Kenya” mark instantly recognizable, giving them a competitive edge. Consumers are more likely to choose products they can identify with, trust, and relate to. The “Made in Kenya” mark represents a promise of quality, authenticity, and ethical production. Branding reinforces this promise, building trust among consumers. A strong brand consistently delivering on this promise enhances the reputation and reliability associated with Kenyan products. Effective branding goes beyond functionality; it evokes emotions and establishes a connection with consumers. By telling the story of Kenyan culture, craftsmanship, and values, the “Made in Kenya” mark can build a sense of national pride and loyalty, fostering a deeper connection between consumers and the products they choose.
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Branding amplifies the message and value of the “Made in Kenya” mark.
MADE IN KENYA
Branding enhances market presence and visibility for Kenyan products. A strong brand enables Kenyan businesses to effectively market their products both locally and internationally. It opens doors to wider distribution, retail, and e-commerce channels, expanding their reach. Effective branding ensures that Kenyan products present a unified and compelling narrative. The “Made in Kenya” mark, combined with a well-developed brand strategy, communicates not only the product’s origin but also its story, values, and the promise of excellence behind it. The “Made in Kenya” mark also encourages local consumers and businesses to support their own. When people see the mark on products, it reinforces the importance of buying locally, contributing to the growth of Kenyan industries and the overall economy. In essence, branding amplifies the message and value of the “Made in Kenya” mark. It transforms it from a label into a symbol of pride, quality, and authenticity. Kenyan businesses are encouraged to engage the services of Nation Brand Development Marketing and Communications Directorate at Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency to unlock the full potential of utilizing the “Made in Kenya” mark. In this issue, we profile companies that have adopted the Made in Kenya mark and how the initiative has helped them to grow. I challenge you to walk into a store today and purchase a product with the Made in Kenya Mark. It shall be money well spent.
Enjoy your reading and buy Kenya! 4
Foreword
Unlocking Growth: The Significance of the “Made in Kenya” Mark of Identity Ms. Floice Mukabana Ag. CEO
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he “Made in Kenya” mark of identity represents a powerful emblem for Kenyan products and services, and its significance cannot be overstated. At the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), we believe that the “Made in Kenya” mark is more than just a label; it’s a testament to the craftsmanship, quality, and authenticity of products originating from our beloved country, Kenya. This mark embodies a promise to consumers worldwide that the product they are choosing carries with it the essence of Kenya - a country known for its rich culture, natural beauty, and dynamic economy. In an ever-competitive global marketplace, identity matters. The “Made in Kenya” mark serves as a powerful tool to differentiate our products and give them a unique identity. It helps us stand out in a sea of international offerings. When consumers see this mark, they recognize it as a symbol of quality and reliability. It tells them that the product has been crafted with the excellence that Kenya is known for. KEPROBA is committed to furthering the reach and impact of the “Made in Kenya” mark. We understand that for it to be truly effective, we need a collective effort from businesses, government, and society as a whole. We are working tirelessly to ensure that products bearing the “Made in Kenya” mark meet and exceed international quality standards. We provide guidance and support to businesses in this regard, ensuring that they produce products that are not just competitive but exceptional. 5
One of our primary roles is to create awareness about the “Made in Kenya” mark of identity. We undertake promotional activities to ensure that the world recognizes the value and significance of products bearing this mark. Increased adoption of this mark contributes to economic growth by boosting exports and creating job opportunities. It also reflects the rich cultural diversity of Kenya, offering a unique selling point to the world. We offer capacity building training and support to Kenyan businesses to enhance their competitiveness. This includes skills development, market research, and guidance on export procedures, enabling them to confidently carry the “Made in Kenya” mark into international markets. We also encourage research and innovation, helping businesses improve product quality and design. The “Made in Kenya” mark represents a promise of excellence, a commitment to quality, and an expression of Kenyan identity. It is a symbol that unites us as a nation and propels our businesses to greater heights in the global market. KEPROBA remains committed to continuous efforts to raise the profile and value of the “Made in Kenya” mark. We are dedicated to supporting Kenyan businesses in their pursuit of international success, and we invite you all to join us in embracing and celebrating the “Made in Kenya” mark. Let us make “Made in Kenya” a mark of pride and quality worldwide.
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The “Made in Kenya” mark serves as a powerful tool to differentiate our products and give them a unique identity. MADE IN KENYA
Mark of identity By Getrude Mirobi I gmirobi@brand.ke
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VARIATIONS OF THE MARK
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he Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) has been a key advocate of the Buy Kenya Build Kenya Initiative, which encourages Kenyans and the public service to consume locally made products. The Agency is a key stakeholder of the Made in Kenya initiative and is driving uptake of the Made in Kenya brand and service mark.
Who can apply for the Made in Kenya mark of identity? Anyone with a Kenyan product can apply to receive the Made in Kenya mark of identity from KEPROBA. Kenya has immense ability to produce unique and good quality products for consumption both in the local and international markets.
Made in Kenya For Manufacturers
How can one get the Made in Kenya mark of identity? Applications are made online through the Made in Kenya website http:// madeinkenya.brandkenya.go.ke/
Eligibility Criteria 1. 2.
Location – Companies/businesses must be in Kenya. Employment – Kenyan employees in the company must be the majority (at least 50%) 3. Compliance with statutory requirements; 4. Tax compliance. 5. Registration Certificates. 6. Should not be insolvent. 7. Should not have been debarred from Public Procurement. 8. Certification – Must bear the KEBS mark and/or other recognized certifications. 9. Product Design -Must be wholly or partially mined or produced in Kenya. 10. Raw Materials -The Country of origin of each significant component must be Kenyan as outlined in the EAC Customs Union (Rules of Origin)
Grown in Kenya For Horticultural products
What are the benefits of acquiring the mark of identity? Access to government procurement services. Made in Kenya adoptees will be entitled to preferential procurement for manufactured articles, materials, and supplies partially mined, produced or assembled in Kenya as guided by section 155 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 2015. Since government is the largest buyer of goods in Kenya manufacturers will take advantage of this opportunity and secure increased business MADE IN KENYA
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Proudly Kenyan For Services
Access to financing. Made in Kenya adoptees will identify opportunities to access financing in the form of credit facilities at discounted rates as well as access to grants. This will allow them to access the much-needed financial resources to carry out their operations smoothly. KEPROBA will do this by looking out for opportunities, mapping them out and sharing with adoptees. Access to promotional services. Made in Kenya Adoptees will enjoy promotional opportunities in order to improve market penetration and sales, as well as better reach and target communication with their publics. These promotional services include advertising and placement in prime traditional and digital media spaces, branding and package design for products as well as the opportunity to participate in expos and exhibitions especially in the international markets. Access to training services. Adoptees will get the latest training on branding, reputation management, sales management, media relations and negotiation skills. This wealth of information will help businesses increase their bargaining power in the market while positioning themselves favorably vis a vis external competition. Adoptees will also have access to sector specific trade information packs and dedicated business counsellors to assist them when required.
BUY KENYA BUILD KENYA
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SCAN HERE TO APPLY FOR THE MADE IN KENYA MARK
MADE IN KENYA
MADE IN KENYA ADOPTEES
FOR THE PERIOD JULY 2022 – JUNE 2023 NAME
SECTOR
1
Elos Organic Produce Limited
Environment, Food And Beverage
2
Baobab Coffee Ltd
Food And Beverage
3
Mutsimoto Motor Company Limited
Engineering
4
Habiqo Investments Ltd
Health And Beauty
5
Rubber Products Limited
Building And Construction
6
Karembou Spa
Health And Beauty
7
Nala Fresh Ltd
Food And Beverage
8
Kingfinn Kenya
Transport
9
Omega Apparels Limited
Clothing And Apparel
10
Simply Foods Limited
Food And Beverage
11
London Distillers (K) Limited
Food And Beverage
12
Edibowl Foods Limited
Food And Beverage
13
Plenser Limited
Engineering
14
Kamyn Industries Ltd
Clothing And Apparel
15
Scalestech
Engineering, Engineering
16
Ella Organic
Food And Beverage
17
Style Industries Ltd.
Health And Beauty
18
Heritage Foods
Food And Beverage
19
Menengai Rolling Mills Ltd
Food And Beverage
20
Jumbo Steel Mills Ltd
Building And Construction
21
Tononoka Rolling Mills Limited
Building And Construction
22
Dpl Festive Limited
Food And Beverage
23
Mvita Oils Limited
Food And Beverage
24
Prodigy Healthcare Limited
Health And Beauty
25
Weetabix East Africa Limited
Food And Beverage
26
Sika Kenya Limited
Building And Construction
27
Bidco Africa Limited
Food And Beverage, Health And Beauty
28
Mommies Choice Products
Food And Beverage
29
Ageless Belle Natural Skincare
Health And Beauty
30
Del Monte Kenya Limited
Del Monte Kenya Limited
31
Afrocessories Co, Ltd
Clothing And Apparel
32
Narcol Aluminium Rolling Mills
Engineering, Food And Beverage, Home And Living
33
Caroline’s Cupcakes Limited
Food And Beverage
34
Atlas Plumbers And Builders Kenya Limited
Building And Construction, Engineering
35
Hydro Aluminium Limited
Building And Construction, Energy, Transport
36
Thonge Limited
Clothing And Apparel
37
Coco Vita Limited
Food And Beverage
38
Majestrix Industries Limited
Food And Beverage
39
Vg Foods Limited
Food And Beverage
40
Malindi Industries Ltd
Food And Beverage, Health And Beauty
41
The Baobb Fruit Company Limited
Food And Beverage, Health And Beauty
42
Tabaka Muungano Handcraft Exports And Inports
Building And Construction
43
Mwachaka Group Ltd
Food And Beverage
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44
Mcdave Holdings Limited
Health And Beauty
45
Tasteafrique Company Ltd
Food And Beverage
46
Voellada Ventures
Food And Beverage
47
Trisis Foods
Food And Beverage
48
Kubuni Defines Ltd
Home And Living
49
Ankole Enterprises Limited
Clothing And Apparel
50
Jennifer Odera Gifting Company Ltd
Food And Beverage
51
Kijiji Nuts Limited
Food And Beverage
52
Quinn Peaks Ltd
Home And Living
53
Afrimac Nut Company Limited
Food And Beverage
54
Farmica (Epz) Limited
Food And Beverage
55
Onja Foods
Food And Beverage
56
Ipopafrica
Food And Beverage
57
Nainchu Farms Limited
Food And Beverage, Health And Beauty
58
Kuwezesha Limited
Food And Beverage
59
Nimz Collections
Clothing And Apparel
60
Gallant Corporate Services Ltd
Clothing And Apparel
61
Ken Knit Kenya Ltd
Clothing And Apparel
62
Akili Foods Limited
Food And Beverage
63
Ona Africa Kenya Limited
Clothing And Apparel
64
Lukenya Growers Ltd
Food And Beverage
65
Keddie Botanics
Food And Beverage
66
Crove Unique Limited
Food And Beverage
67
Densha Products
Food And Beverage, Health And Beauty
68
United Eastern Kenya Coffee Marketing Company
Food And Beverage
69
Ohana Family Wear Limited
Clothing And Apparel
70
L’s Food Lab Ltd
Food And Beverage
71
Humble Beginnings Ventures Ltd
Clothing And Apparel
72
Bee-Care Apiaries International Limited
Food And Beverage
73
Super Gibs Ltd
Food And Beverage
74
Mawi Organics Limited
Health And Beauty
75
Ubuntu Life Enterprise
Clothing And Apparel
76
Hebatullah Brothers Limited
Building And Construction
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MADE IN KENYA
“Made in Kenya” remains an emblem that reminds us of the importance of building our country first by supporting the local industries, appreciating our culture, and cultivating pride of who we are and where we come from
Hip hop artiste Eko Dydda vouches for Made in Kenya products By: Addriene Mureithi I amureithi@apn.co.ke
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ast-rising music artiste Eko Dydda has attracted new interest among Kenyans with his latest hit entitled ‘M.I.K, M.I.K, Made in Kenya’ that has generated over 500 comments for its unforgiving onslaught on Kenyans who prefer to buy imported products instead of locally made products. Eko Dydda celebrates Made in Kenya products saying it economically empowers local entrepreneurs thereby generating more jobs and new products. The song which was released by Classic Flicks Media has since raked in 53,000 views, asserts that Kenyans must embrace patriotism first when choosing what to buy before looking outward for any product that Kenyans can make for Kenyans in Kenya. Music does not only serve as a form of entertainment and creative outlet, but it has for long been used to express dissenting opinions, agitate for better policies, praise diligent dealers and in the same tune admonish corrupt government officials. Dydda’s song that rides on the adage ‘charity begins at home’ says local radio stations fond of long hours to airing Tanzanian Bongo and Jamaican Reggae songs have denied local music the much needed airplay, hurting prospects of local musicians that are left to rely on live shows. He says journalists need to desist from their current tradition where musicians are only heard of when they die, or ill luck befalls them saying this must end if Kenya is to become a home for its locally made products. He further adds that Kenyans who have embraced Kitenge, a local fabric instead of buying designer clothes imported from international retail stores have greatly contributed to Kitenge’s global success. As the song winds down, the talented trap musician encourages Kenyans to support Kenyan brands by applauding and recognising great talent,
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hard work and sacrifice that has gone into creating wonderful authentic Kenyan products. The song closes off by touching on corruption and mentioning one of the biggest scandals in its history, the “Goldenberg’ scandal. He alludes to corruption as one of the great impediments for robust local industries and urges the leaders to curb corruption to allow the ‘Made in Kenya’ industries to thrive. The artist goes further to encourage Kenyans to water the grass in our country instead of leaving the country for greener pastures. He advises us to build and strengthen our country before we build other countries. However, some fans have also related to the sentiments raised throughout the song and are appreciating the importance of supporting Made in Kenya products. The ‘Made in Kenya’ campaign continues to gain momentum, especially after Covid-19 struck with more Kenyans injecting funds into new businesses to produce items earlier imported into the country from overseas. One notable achievement of the campaign is the pride instilled in Kenyans when donning Made in Kenya brands. The campaign has also encouraged talented designers and entrepreneurs to sprout and follow their dreams to become World renowned business moguls through the different Made in Kenya products and services. Kenyan leaders have also publicly shown support for Made in Kenya products. President Uhuru Kenyatta is known for his bespoke, well-tailored shirts. While we are still far in terms of culture appreciation and confidence in Made in Kenya brands, the citizens have made huge strides in supporting Kenyan made brands right from clothing to leather and canvas shoes and bag and most importantly, the Kenyan Film industry. Recently, Kenya produced a series ‘Country Queen’ solely produced for America’s online streaming service, Netflix. There is a general appreciation of the originality of the script, the cinematic creativity of the scenes and the great video production. Eko Dydda’s “Made in Kenya” remains an emblem that reminds us of the importance of building our country first by supporting the local industries, appreciating our culture, and cultivating pride of who we are and where we come from. “Tujipende, Tujijenge, na Tujenge Kenya Pamoja.” EKO DYDDA Made in Kenya song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqwCw1LeMUE)
KIRDI: Ensuring Kenyan products meet globally accepted standards By: James Kariuki I jkariuki@apn.co.ke The Export Agenda team interview Dr- Ing. Calvin Onyango, the Director General, KIRDI on their role in supporting exporters.
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hen Dr- Ing. Calvin Onyango took over as the head of the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) on June 6, 2022, he vowed to unlock and distribute patented technological innovations mooted by the public institution for public good.
“KIRDI has for years used locally available materials to create new products for domestic, office and industrial use. We are keen on partnering with investors on joint ventures to mass produce these products thereby benefiting Kenya by providing solutions, jobs and opening new investments space,” he says. KIRDI, said the German-educated scholar, stands to earn up to Kshs. 200 million annually in royalty fees received from companies utilising its technological innovations to create products that solve local challenges. To fulfil its plans, KIRDI has requested treasury to allocate them Kshs. 1.5 billion to kickstart the commercialisation process which will see KIRDI personnel train would-be employees, set-up factories, train investor-founders on end-to-end factory operations management to guide acquisition of the machinery for the identified projects.
“Kenya has a ready market for various products and our role is to utilise available expertise to handhold investors from ideation to successful launch of projects. Every year we babysit up to 600 companies whose founders are trained here, assisted to prepare products that are later certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). We then incubate them for some time to facilitate their scaling,” he adds. KIRDI, which opened its doors in 1979 offers laboratory analysis services for newly mooted products, incubates start-ups, and imparts product-specific skills on entrepreneurs based on their products of choice. Due to its technical expertise, the public institution also assists companies to develop products that meet set standards.
Dr. Onyango says every year they assist 50 start-ups to redevelop their products as per KEBS standards. KIRDI charges a nominal fee as training is based on the required skills set while successful entrepreneurs are also assisted to 11
kick off their projects using KIRDI’s Common Manufacturing Facility (CMF). “No business engaged in any manufacturing endeavour should struggle in getting the right technologies, right expertise or space to actualise their dream. KIRDI has qualified personnel, facilities and machineries that can be used to make any product,” he says.
The Director General says KIRDI has outstations in Kisumu, Migori, Eldoret, Kisii, Garissa, Bungoma and Malindi that are fully equipped to conduct industrial research on various products using locally available materials. Kisumu, he says boasts of leather products’ expertise and is well equipped to serve entrepreneurs planning to enter the leather products market while the Kisii facility concentrates on value addition technologies for avocado. Bungoma and Migori have been tasked with developing technologies towards commercial exploitation of soya beans. MADE IN KENYA
The Techno-centre is 80 percent complete and will rise 18 floors while boasting of an expanded three floor basement parking area. It will have lecture rooms and lecture theatres, a restaurant and accommodation facilities. The fourth basement will be dedicated to nano-technology laboratories while an entire tower is dedicated to research laboratories.
Eldoret and Kilifi station have fully equipped laboratories and workshops for vegetable and fruit processing, value addition technologies while Garissa concentrates on building innovative technologies towards value addition for camel meat and milk.
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Among their successes is the recent development of an industrial plant for camel meat (nyir nyir) processing in Garissa that started off with training of a group of investors on how to mass handle camel meat, process it into dried and roasted products for export. The project saw a nyir nyir specialty plant made for the investors who have since set up their own plant within Garissa township.
“Our main task, as a national technical and industrial research hub is to fast-track launch of locally made products into the local and export markets by ensuring their products meet the globally accepted standards,” he says. The scholar adds that they have a hub for making industrial equipment to suit any product development needs including planning for installation as well as onsite visit to ensure the new plants are successfully launched.
Dr. Onyango adds that a Kshs. 5 billion research and development centre located in Nairobi’s Industrial Area is nearing completion. It will offer extra space for local and foreign investors to launch operations and a platform to engage local scientists, engineers, and researchers on various projects.
This includes training of machine operators and factory floor managers thereby ensuring operational efficiency and reduced downtimes for the firms’ profitability.
Photo : Proposed KIRDI Techno Centre
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Osho Chemicals seeks to create environmentally friendly Made in Kenya products By: James Kariuki I jkariuki@apn.co.ke
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an-African biotechnology firm, Osho Chemicals is betting on Kenyan researchers to create environmentally friendly Made in Kenya products for higher agricultural productivity at much lower costs. “We have launched partnerships with three public universities to tap into scientific research that offers green solutions to addressing pest challenges in Kenya and across Africa,” reveals Chief Executive Officer Manoj Shah. “We spent Kshs. 30 million in sponsoring nine masters and PHD students to conduct their agriculture-based research project work. They have since graduated and we have selected one property (research work) that investigated micro-organisms as harmless vectors to controlling proliferation of harmful pests. Our partnership with the researcher and his university will benefit everyone. Kenya will become known globally as a scientific innovation hub for green solutions. We are expanding our sponsorship with more universities to tap into research works in local repositories.” Oblivious of the strenuous long hours students spend working on their academic projects that include practical field work to affirm authenticity of their academic findings, a lot of these
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properties (research works) remain locked away in well-guarded university repositories of knowledge. Speaking to the Export Agenda magazine, the CEO said a closer partnership between academia and industry is the quickest way for Kenya to evolve into a modern economy boasting of homegrown products that respond to local needs. “Universities must become innovative centres that produce solutions for Kenyans. We have an active internship programme that allows university students to come in and work at our facilities early in their careers. This will see them earn a practical certificate issued by National Industrial Training Authority (NITA),” he said. Osho chemicals started off as a distribution company in 1993, employing just three employees with Shah as the distribution-salesman. This has since grown to include manufacturing hubs and subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia as well as DRC Congo.
MADE IN KENYA
Kenya needs to invest more in promoting local small and medium enterprises enabling them to produce and manufacture local products for the international market.
Shah says opening commercialisation opportunities for locally developed products could generate higher adoption of the ‘Made in Kenya’ mark increasing more job opportunities and higher revenues for the national exchequer. He suggests that tighter controls should be put in place to discourage importation of packaged ready to sell chemical products saying bulk importation of products should be encouraged to create secondary companies that will package in smaller packages for retail sales. The ripple effect would be establishment of new partnerships between manufacturerimporters and local companies as well as an emergence of repackaging units for bulk imports. “As a Kenyan company, we are highly disadvantaged as we must pay for import duty and railway development levy every time, we import our raw materials while this conglomerate chemical companies import finished products with no extra charge since agro-chemical products are tax exempt. By allowing this, we are exporting jobs and locking investments out of the country,” he says. Looking at the success of vegetable, flowers and fruit subsectors, the CEO says Kenya needs to invest more in promoting local small and medium enterprises enabling them to produce and manufacture local products for the international market. Shah says regulators need to give preference to Kenya-based manufacturing units and subject processed products to full duty. “People import fully processed and customer packaged products as raw materials only to sell the same in local shops. We can’t compete against such products that enjoy huge profit margins. We are killing local businesses by allowing such regimes to thrive,” he adds. The CEO says they have since transformed their units into manufacturing hubs but continue to largely rely on raw materials imported into the country that are subjected to import declaration levy, railway development levy, among other taxes. He says Kenyan farmers also need to be funded to establish commercial pyrethrum farms to raise production to satiate demand by local chemical companies. Currently, Osho buys pyrethrin from a local extractor who sources dried pyrethrum flowers from pyrethrum farmers. “Kenya used to be the highest producer of the best pyrethrum with the highest pyrethrin content. It went down but we have invested more via partnerships and public funding. I am also buying coconut husks and macadamia wastes from local factories that I use to make mosquito coils,” he says. Shah believes increased value addition could see Kenya earn higher returns from export of tea and coffee products adding that this could attract new investments leading to creation of new job opportunities. The CEO says increased industrygovernment partnership is good for the country as it creates a platform for recognition of locally manufactured products.
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You need it,
Kenya produces it
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nowing that the products you are enjoying are made in your country brings some sense of pride (even a little bit) to everyone. Imagine finding out people in other countries even continents also consume your country’s products - I do not know about you but it makes me a tad bit excited.
Have you been to Carrefour Supermarket’s Made in Kenya aisle? It is impressive. All products on both sides of that aisle are one hundred percent produced in Kenya. Kenya has produced a lot of quality products…let’s just say that you need it, Kenya produces it. This Made in Kenya mark of identity on a product makes it legit! Maybe next time when shopping, let that aisle be your first stop as you shop (see what I did there?)
Every day we see advertisements for things like lotion, bread spread, and other products without knowing where the products are manufactured. I will not lie- I was part of the majority that had no idea, but now, whenever I find myself shopping, I usually check for the Made in Kenya mark of identity.
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(besides fruits of course). They are easy to prepare and nutritious too. Their other products are also top quality and highly recommended (they should have me as a brand ambassador…. Hehe).
Made in Kenya products are those that speak for themselves with the brand names of the homeland which is Kenya (grinning emoji) and have most, if not all, their resources from Kenya. It is not that I do not appreciate products that do not have the Made in Kenya mark, I do, but there is something about companies that embrace the brand. Take for example Nice and Lovely, everyone has at least interacted with one of their products. I have used two of their products and I was left feeling all good and pretty (puts hair behind my ear). Most ladies can attest that their gel is among the best they have used. Stronghold? Check. No white residue? Check. It gives you a sleek and fabulous look. Have you had Kenchic chicken nuggets? If not, you are missing out. They are the easiest go-to snack for any occasion. Want to munch on something light as you prepare dinner? Nuggets. Do your children need snacks for school? Kenchic nuggets should be your first thought
I would go on and on about all the products that have adopted the Made in Kenya mark of identity, but I would probably bore you to sleep, and we would not want that. There are lots of other products with the brand and I have not had the luxury of trying them all but if the few I have used have left me feeling all proud of our homeland’s capabilities, I cannot help but want to have everything I use to be from here. I would love to think of myself as a patriot and one of the steps is appreciating our country’s produce. We are also all Made in Kenya (cough), and we are all amazing so think of how quality the products we produce are. As we come to the end of our conversation, I would like to riddle you this, if we do not appreciate our country, who will?
By Njambii Josephine josephinenjoroge59@gmail.com
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MADE IN KENYA
Booch: Kenyan Kombucha into the Kenyan market five years ago and marketed as a healthy alternative to juice, coffee, beer or soda.
By James Kariuki jkariuki@apn.co.ke
Globally, Kombucha is a traditional drink in China and it spread to Russia, then other parts of Eastern Europe and Germany in the early 20th Century.
M
egan Root and her husband moved to Kenya in 2016 where they realised their traditionally popular and 2000-year old Irish non-alcoholic beverage, Kombucha, was not in the market.
In an interview, Megan who co-founded Global Slacker Enterprises that oversees two subsidiaries, Booch and cleaning agents manufacturer, Grounded said Booch is the latest product to be certified and approved for commercial production by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
At first, she brewed it at home for her family and shared with a few visiting friends. Later some friends, requested for take home orders prompting her to marshal resources for setting up a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (Scoby) production line.
“We also received the Made in Kenya brand identity that affirms recognition of our products in the local and foreign markets as certified products. In the market we identify as Kenyan-made products complete with a Kenya Export Promotion and Brand Agency (KEPROBA) logo,” she says.
“While the ‘brewing’ process is purely Irish, the ingredients are 100 percent Kenyan including premium Oolong Tea, fresh fruit, and botanicals,” she says about their fermented drink, Booch, introduced
In order to deepen their Kenyan ‘roots’, they contracted local farmers and companies to supply them with essential raw materials from freshly harvested and processed teas to plastic containers and labels for use in the manufacturing process.
MADE IN KENYA
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Her subsidiary, Grounded, also started in 2017, makes nontoxic cleaning products and currently employs 50 people at its Kikuyu-based facility making about 30 products from personal care, laundry, surfaces, toilets/bathrooms, dishes, air, pets, and baby care products. Her biggest breakthrough came when local retail chains, Chandarana, Artcaffe Market, Zucchini, Healthy U, Shamba Cafe, Lang’ata Links, GreenSpoon, Onn the Way Supermarkets, Health Cart, Ecandi, Fava Herb, Express Shop Kilifi, Blue Marmalade in Watamu accepted to sell her products. “Kenya can support local businesses by advocating for reduced trade restrictions in East Africa. This can better be done by creating a unified Kenya platform enabling small and medium enterprises to participate in cross border trade,” she observes.
We also received the Made in Kenya brand identity that affirms recognition of our products in the local and foreign markets as certified products.
For KEBS, she says there is a need to create a clear process that is used to inspect and certify different products while allowing creation of new standards for new products like Booch. “Kenyans also need to buy their own products and the government should facilitate SMEs to attend global fairs to promote locally processed products.”
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MADE IN KENYA
HACO Industries: Pioneers in Made in Kenya Products Mary-Ann Musangi, Managing Director, HACO Industries held a one-on-one interview with Export Agenda’s reporter James Kariuki where she expounded on her firm’s continued success on a global scale straight from their Nairobi hub. By James Kariuki jkariuki@apn.co.ke
We also ended our merger with Bic Societe and established our own line manufacturing base that now oversees manufacture of different product lines among them a vast range of products in the skin, hair and home care categories such as AMARA (which includes lotions, deodorants, glycerin, shower gels and petroleum jelly), MIADI (which includes, shampoos, hair food, treatment, conditioner), ASHANTI-Q (which includes, treatment, conditioner, shampoos, curling butter, finishing serum, hair cream), ACE, SO SOFT, SPARKLE and HACO PLASTICS (rulers & pegs). HACO Industries exports to 6 countries across the region (Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, DRC and South Sudan) and is looking to expand further with supporting tax and trade policies and frameworks.
H
ACO Industries is a famous brand globally and especially for its wide range of products that are Made in Kenya. Please tell us more about HACO’s history and its current products? HACO Industries is a testament of the late Dr. Chris Kirubi’s belief of Kenya’s ability to fend off fierce global competition from same line conglomerates. It started off as a single-line business in 1974 in Kenya’s coastal town of Mombasa focused on the contract manufacturing of Bic pens and thrived for more than 47 years to become a multi-line enterprise. From our Nairobi hub we contract manufacture for other leading brands such as TCB, Motions, Dax, Jeyes Bloo, just to mention a few. This has enabled our Kenyan employees gain international expertise in the manufacture of a wide range of products. The face of HACO began to change in the early 2000’s when the company started to move out of contract manufacturing from global brands - to establish a strong local industry. The first local brand from HACO was Miadi which is a range of hair care products from HACO Industries tailored for African hair, and the word Miadi is a Swahili word that translates to ‘The Promise.’ A year later the So Soft fabric softener range was born, and this catapulted the year-onyear growth of new product development in the skin, hair and home care categories.
Mary-Ann Musangi, Managing Director, HACO Industries
Tell us, do Kenyan standards used to certify your products make your products competitive hence ‘standard wise’ acceptable across the world? Regulations are necessary requirements in any nation. When effectively implemented, they create an enabling environment for competitiveness by enforcing fair business practices, driving equal opportunity and inclusive participation of all in the economy.
I took over as the Managing Director in 2019 when we ended contract manufacturing remaining with one partnership, E.T. Browne Drug Company, Inc that has entrusted HACO Industries with the manufacturing and distribution of their Palmers brand.
MADE IN KENYA
With great opportunities beckoning as Africa opens for trade, Kenya needs to work on having a competitive advantage by adjusting its trade and tax policies to nurture local industry, and provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, innovate and grow employment opportunities. 18
For the cosmetic industry specifically, the retention of KEBS as the registration and regulatory body for class 2 cosmetics will go a long way in easing the movement of goods to local and regional markets and reducing the cost of doing business.
What can Kenya do better to champion Made in Kenya Products? HACO Industries prides itself in being a homegrown manufacturer that makes deliberate efforts to source raw materials from small agri-businesses around the country. We subcontract them to produce material that we then incorporate into our final product. A great move that can boost industry in Kenya is to invest in institutions such as Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) which are dedicated to building the capacity and know-how for cottage and micro industries to grow. SMEs are a critical part of our value chain and a great addition to innovation. Hence, focusing on empowering them will tremendously accelerate our industrialization as a country. Secondly, some tax measures in the Finance Act 2022 are set to have an impact on the cosmetics and personal care sector. Excise rate was increased on cosmetics and beauty products. Most of these industries procure raw materials from small scale local farmers who will be impacted by such tax policy measures. It is important to note that excise tax targets goods which are seen as luxury goods. However personal care which includes hair care is a necessity for people’s health and hygiene and this has become clear during the Covid-19 crisis. It is therefore important that this tax is reviewed in this light. With the expected inflation adjustment later in the year and the election period, the cost of doing business will go up in different sectors (including ours) and impact sales and revenue generation. It is important that the Government alleviates duty on personal care products to support the sector’s growth. Thirdly, Illicit trade is a constant hindrance to the growth and development of local industry. Unfortunately, illicit trade systems are continuously becoming sophisticated with the advancement of technology and corrupt networks. Counterfeits which are a big part of illicit trade are detrimental to our local economy. They create an unlevel playing field through their unfair practices and bring about huge losses especially in terms of the country’s revenue. They also pose a huge threat to the health and safety of consumers. As HACO we have gone to great lengths to work with experts and our customers to develop products that enhance their health and prioritise their well-being. But counterfeiters, since they obscure their operations and escape regulation, are not held to account on the quality of and safety of their products, and thereby have the potential to cause grievous harm to citizens. Lastly, we need to increase efforts to harmonise county levies, fees and charges in order to reduce the cost of doing business. County governments must also formulate strong strategies to attract investments as this will build a lasting symbiotic relationship with local businesses especially manufacturing companies and aid in dispersion of industry and ultimately development of related sectors such as agriculture and finance.
Lastly, how are you evolving your business to meet sustainability goals? HACO’s intent is to sustain its operations by empowering our local workforce that will enable the delivery of African brands for African people in Africa and beyond. We have a research and development program, consumer understanding and quality inputs that inform our production. We employ over 400 Kenyans who are facilitated to undertake further training in various fields of their expertise. Local, rural small-scale farmers and enterprises that are owned by or employ a lot of women supply us with mineral oils. For example, Moringa Oil from Kilifi, Raw Shea Butter from Uganda, Canola Oil from the slopes of Mt. Kenya, Macadamia oil from Central Kenya and Baobab seeds from Makueni. We use of bio-degradable raw materials in our processes, recycle plastic components towards zero waste, wastewater reduction and management, resource and energy efficiency through solar powered manufacturing.
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MADE IN KENYA
The detergent maker By James Kariuki I jkariuki@apn.co.ke
U
niversity of Nairobi-trained electrical engineer Sheila Ndirangu first ventured into detergent manufacturing for her own household’s use. Within three years, all her neighbours had turned into her clients and the Covid-19 Pandemic created a demand for cleaning products further opening a ready market for her products. “To affirm confidence among my existing and new clients, I registered my business and patented my trademark. The products were then subjected to thorough review for human safety and quality controls by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS),” she recalls her entrepreneurship journey that started in 2017.
Starting off Her home-based business solely relied on a local supplier who advised her on how to make various detergents for her local sales but has the business expanded, Sheila sought professional advice to help her formulate specific formulas for use in her products repetitively. At first, she used one litre and a half litre container to package and sell the 20 litres detergent she made in her house. At the beginning, her neighbours were her key clients but she has since grown her clientele and sales to about 1,000 litres of detergent products sold daily.
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“The need to keep surfaces clean at home, at work and for motor vehicles has created a ready market for dishwash, carwash, drainage, sanitiser, hand wash, bleach, and degreasers,” she says. While business has been good, her plans to scale up suffered major
MADE IN KENYA
setbacks since Kenya lacks a conducive industrial credit schemes that start-ups can borrow from. She relied on own savings and sought financial help from friends to acquire new machinery that was built at a light industry facility in Nairobi’s Kariobangi area. Lyke Year Limited was born under the brand name LYKE USAAFI.
Facilitate start-ups growth Her quest to burst into the market faced new hurdles as she needed to acquire permits and licences from county and the national governments. “Kenya needs to appreciate local investors by reducing or waiving permit fees and other licences to enable start-ups formalise and launch operations. This could make locally made products cheaper thereby outdoing the competition(imports),” notes Sheila. “I registered my business name and obtained a trademark for my products. Certification from Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) attracted a Kshs.11,600 fee per product and a Kshs. 10,000 business and a fire permit. For faster growth of start-ups, Kenya should create and publicise incentives available to facilitate start-ups growth. In the process, savings made could be spent on powering new innovations, meet operational expenses as well as facilitating product piloting.” While her sales kept rising, entry into supermarket shelves has been a daunting task due to fierce competition from established detergent makers who offer their goods on credit as opposed to small players who rely on cash sales to power their next production. “Supporting local start-ups financially and with business training could open up new employment opportunities for Kenyans while generating new value chains for goods and services,” she notes. Sheila Mwikali CEO Lyke Usaafi
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Do you want to join the Made In Kenya Family?
Made in Kenya mark
“The Covid-19 Pandemic opened a new market for locally made products as the government allowed KEBS to verify all locally made products that were aimed at fighting the dreaded pandemic expeditiously. This certification means my products are in high demand and I expect good sales as all my products now bear the ‘Made in Kenya’ mark,” she reveals. The ‘Made in Kenya’ brand identity by Kenya Export Promotion and Brand Agency (KEPROBA), has given her products greater visibility locally where corporate companies now appreciate all products on shelves that bear the logo. “The recognition by KEPROBA has placed our products at par with well-known brands that have for years graced the shelves. We recently placed our bid for supply of all our products with a local university and are hopeful we could strike a breakthrough if we win the bid,” she adds. “Public entities should buy from local companies boost trust ScantoHere to and confidence for locally produced products.” Apply Sheila acquired her detergent-making skills at the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development and is currently polishing her networking skills via entrepreneurship training and networking at Kenya Private Sector Alliance.
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She adds that start-ups should also be granted incubation services and incentives that could see fees and licences waived. The assistance could promote quick turnaround and emergence of new products on local shelves.
To apply is free
Click here to apply
“Kenya needs to train its people on product manufacturing and entrepreneurship. We have a fertile market for various products and that could mean more jobs and less imports,” she adds. The detergents maker says social media platforms have given her a new alternative to market her wares to more people at an affordable rate than it would have been via the costly mass media broadcasts.
#ItsMadeInKenya
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MADE IN KENYA
The family coffee farm By James Kariuki I jkariuki@apn.co.ke
MADE IN KENYA
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The family coffee farm John Seroney-Chairman, Sumseron Tea
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unning businesses is a revered way in Kenya to preserve generational wealth and as coffee exporter John Seroney puts it, Kenyans need to embrace joint ventures as a way of strengthening family incomes. In an interview, John who is the founder-managing director of Sumseron Tea Enterprises Limited says they inherited a coffee and a tea estate formerly owned by their father Mzee Stephen Cheruiyot in 2017 that they agreed to run as a business. “Subdivision erodes the value of farms passed to us as inheritance as smaller farm units are of no economic value. Families need to coercively inject fresh capital into joint ventures that ensure continuity of enterprises started by their parents,” he adds. Mzee Cheruiyot, introduced coffee trees on the family farm in 1978 and boasted of 10,000 trees, a mix of old SL 28, Sl 34 and new hybrids Ruiru 11 and Batian. He rose to become the area co-operative society chairman and Coffee Board of Kenya Director Western Region - positions he served for a decade. He endeared local farmers to engage in coffee farming that saw the acreage increase to over 10,000 acres holding upto 12 million trees. Their decision to continue running their father’s pulping station has maintained their partnership with 17 large estate coffee farms and 22 co-operative societies.
Coffee export licence While they traditionally sold their produce through marketing agents, a breakthrough occurred in 2021 when they received a coffee export licence enabling them to directly engage coffee buyers from across the world. “Selling through agencies meant that our produce was priced per kilogramme but today, we determine payments for deliveries made to us based on the quality of the coffee beans delivered. If a farmer practised good farm husbandry practices, their coffee fetches a premium price compared to poorly reared coffee trees that yield small coffee cherry beans,” he says.
Affirm authenticity To enhance visibility of their green beans and roasted coffee, sold locally and exported to Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, US, UK as well as new trial clients in the Middle East, John says they obtained the ‘Made in Kenya’ mark of identity issued by Kenya Export Promotion and Brand Agency (KEPROBA) to affirm authenticity of their produce. “The ‘Made in Kenya’ mark of identity amplifies affirmation of the quality of certified products. We need to use local influencers such as world marathon runners Eliud Kichoge to promote this brand identity globally as this will give Kenyan made produce more visibility thus winning a loyal following abroad,” he notes.
Export trade Sumseron processes and sells 1 million kilogrammes of coffee annually that is exported via Mombasa Port while smaller consignments of roasted coffee is sent directly to established five star cafes.
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“Kenya should support small enterprises to market their products abroad since most clients have learnt about us through direct interactions during international coffee fairs and trade shows with little government support or involvement, he says. “Kenya can sponsor SME owners to attend and exhibit their products abroad during annual global trade missions. We can pay for our own accommodation and distribute samples of our products to prospective clients.” He says prohibitive costs have made it impossible for small coffee exporters ‘to break’ into the big league that is dominated by established global coffee roasters and processors. Kenya can create a rotating seat for coffee or tea emissaries to be sent out to various embassies to promote produce from their respective co-operative societies. To promote coffee plantation establishment, Sumseron has been supporting co-operative societies sponsoring distribution of seedlings to their members, mostly the youth who are then trained on better farm husbandry practices until fruition. The monies spent is then recovered during sale of the subsequent produce sales from the said farms. This has endeared more young people to engage in coffee farming with many homes enjoying higher incomes. Export trade, he adds also helps create employment for locals whereby farms hire casuals to work on the farms while the firm’s pulping station and warehouse hosts seven permanent employees while upto 100 casual workers are hired during the peak harvesting season. According to John, smaller and lowly capitalised enterprises dealing in the same produce should come together and form self-help groups that can seek technical and financial support from the county and national government. “While it feels nice to be a founder, chairman, a CEO, treasurer or committee member of a small outfit, it is costly to run it as one must seek licences and approvals just as a big outfit will. A small outfit hardly raises adequate volumes to allow them qualify for an export licence but a big outfit will be considered,” he ends.
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Sumseron processes and sells 1 million kilogrammes of coffee annually that is exported via Mombasa Port while smaller consignments of roasted coffee is sent directly to established five star cafes.
MADE IN KENYA
Revital Healthcare sets standard on Made in Kenya medical essentials By James Kariuki I jkariuki@apn.co.ke
T
he historic Covid-19 pandemic caused global market disruptions of historic proportions leading to acute shortages of key medical essentials across the world.
Unknown to many, Kilifi-based Revital Healthcare delivered 50 million 0.2ml vaccine syringes to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) India, a historic first for Kenya and Africa to have their products certified for use in India, a revered global powerhouse in medical equipment manufacturing. The firm has its syringes (RUP/AD and Conventional), Rapid Covid Antigen Test Kits, Rapid Malaria Test Kits, Oxygen related products (bCPAP), PPE Kits, Surgical Face Masks, Viral Transport Medium Kits, and many more products certified by standards agencies in 21 countries including UNICEF, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) committee responsible for human medicines (CHMP). “Sadly though, of the 48 items we manufacture and export, Kenya only buys four items from us, the Tanzania health ministry buys 11 items, and we have a contract for 10 other items from the Uganda government. I wish Kenya could stop importing items we make and introduce punitive regulations to deter imports of anything made by Kenyan companies. That would mean more jobs and higher revenues for the exchequer,” Mr Roneek Vora, Revital Healthcare, Sales and Product Development Director. Established in 2007 with 60 employees, the firm now employing 500 workers, mostly women, is poised to hire 100 more following injection of new capital by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Asia Africa Investment and Consulting Pte Ltd and Ohara Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, towards expansion of their facility. The new wing currently under construction will have new product lines, auto-disable vaccine syringes, as well as expand its product portfolio solely intended to address the shortage of medical devices in Africa and the world. Mr. Vora says deepening of ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya’ policy could end the barrage of perpetual complaints on substandard goods imported into the market leading to loss of billions of shillings.
Roneek Vora Revital Health Chief Executive
MADE IN KENYA
“If any local company makes goods that are substandard, it is very easy to make amends or penalise them but for foreign imports, forget it since the items are sold by local traders whose mandate is only to import and sell,” says Mr Vora. He observed that many Kenyan researchers now chose to work abroad since Kenya failed to recognise their work. This resulted in formulation of new products that are then exported to Kenya to be sold at exorbitant prices. 24
Such a move could also open new confidence among local companies, hence new financial muscle to market their products across the world. This means new demand for skilled labourers that must be trained in Kenyan institutions. “For a set of syringes that we sell for Kshs. 480, but the similar product is imported at Kshs. 1,820. We take less than a half a day to deliver to Nairobi, but foreign orders take months. Buy local and for items we do not have capacity to buy go regional first before looking further abroad. For instance, there is a company in Uganda now making surgical gloves, why would we import from China when our next-door neighbour has similar products?” he posed.
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The firm, in partnership with Vayu Global Health (USA) and Dr. Thomas Burke, a Professor at Harvard University are pioneering the development of a respiratory support equipment, Vayu bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bCPAP) System for use in baby infirmaries.
Buy Kenya Build Kenya’ policy could “Once this is made locally, it will be cheaper and readily available as compared to the costly machines imported from first world countries. Kenya has capacity and we need to conduct a end the national conversation to spell out solutions that spur new investments in manufacturing and barrage of widen the local and regional base for Made in Kenya products,” he says. perpetual Kenya needs to make it mandatory for all local companies to hire interns as this will generate complaints on new learning among training institutions which continue to be blamed for churning out half- substandard baked graduates. goods Revital is currently the only WHO prequalified manufacturer for vaccine syringes in Africa that imported into are contracted by various international programs aimed at assisting low and middle-income the market countries (LMIC’s) for supply of over 300 million units of the 0.5ml Vaccine Syringes this year. leading to loss With the new investment, the company is set to become the only company in Africa manufacturing of billions of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDTs) kits for Malaria, Covid-19, HIV, Dengue, Pregnancy, and Hepatitis B shillings. that will go on sale globally. While the firm has been extremely successful in selling its products, Mr Vora feels Kenya needs to embrace local manufacturers more and involve them during foreign missions to market the country’s products. “Kenya’s tourism, tea, coffee, and vegetables as well as fruits are promoted by various agencies abroad. Why not manufactured products?” he posed. The firm is also in talks with a local research institute and a local researcher who invented a vaccine for possible partnership towards commercialisation of the vaccine currently under trials.
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MADE IN KENYA
MADE IN KENYA MARK ADOPTEES COMPANY/ ORGANISATION
INDUSTRY
NAME OF PRODUCT/S
Chandaria Industries Limited
Paper & Board
Velvex Toilet Tissue
Rok Industries Limited
Plastics & Rubber
Plastic Bowls
Loiren Foods Limited
Food & Beverage
Samwa
Crown Beverages Limited
Food & Beverage
Dasani/Juices/ Predator
Credible Jewels
Jewelry
N/A
Trueways Enterprises Ltd
Cosmetics
N/A
Roho Hospitality Limited
Food & Beverage
Salsa Macha
Dt Dobie & Company Limited
Automotive
Mercedes Benz/ Vw Polo/Hyundai
Harvest Of Sunshine Limited
Cosmetics
Harvest Of Sunshine
Newline Limited
Timber, Wood & Furniture
Furniture
Space And Style
Building Mining & Construction
Asili Roofing Tiles
Madafu Publications Ltd
Services & Consultancy
Flex Communications Limited
Services & Consultancy
Glyeco Enterprises
Timber, Wood & Furniture
Madafu Newspaper Cruz Speed Limiters/ Recorders/ Transponders Glyeco Lampshades
Twiga Stationers And Printers Limited
Paper & Board
Crown
African Blue Limited
Food & Beverage
African Blue- Poa Tilapia
Thika Cloth Mills Limited
Textiles & Apparel
Textile Fabric
Alive And Kicking Kenya
Leather & Footwear
Balls
Sanabora Design House Limited
Leather & Footwear
Bags
Caliber Foods Limited
Food & Beverage
Kenbake, Aunty Bettys & Delitoz
Betatea Enterprises Ltd
Food & Beverage
Speciality Tea
Kitengela Hot Glass Limited
Glasswear
N/A
Vivo Active Wear
Textiles & Apparel
Women Cloth Wear
Spice World Limited
Food & Beverage
Pearle Atta Mark One
Emrok Tea Factory (Epz)
Food & Beverage
Emrok Tea
MADE IN KENYA
26
Rosewood Furniture Limited
Timber, Wood & Furniture
N/A
Jkuat Enterprises
Food & Beverage
Tea Soko
Coninx Industries Ltd
Plastics & Rubber
Zebra Hose Pipes
Apt Commodities Ltd
Food & Beverage
Jambo Tea
Azu’s Leather Limited
Leather & Footwear
Jays Pyrotechnics Limited
Services & Consultancy
Osho Chemical Industries Ltd First Rank Investments Limited
Chemical & Allied
Leather Beaded Sandals Pyrotechnics And Pyrotechnic Articles Easy Gro/ Moskill Aerosol
Leather & Footwear
Ranks Leather
Kenafric Bakery
Food & Beverage
Kings Mill Bread
Rahma Tea
Food & Beverage
Rahma Tea
Pipe Manufacturers Ltd
Metal & Allied
N/A
Green Pencil Njeru Industries Limited
Pencils
Burn Manufacturing Co.
Food & Beverage Energy, Electrical & Electronics
Airos Investments Limited
Cosmetics
Sheth Group Of Companies
Cosmetics
Sheth Naturals
Burton Industries
Chemical & Allied
Detergents
Amor Coco Kenya Epz Limited
Food & Beverage
Amor Coco
Nahal Industries Limited
Chemical & Allied
Nahal Hand Sanitiser
Tlhokomelo Designs
Leather & Footwear
Handbags
Manutratech Industries Limited
Chemical & Allied
Clean Haven
Bedi Investments Limited
Textiles & Apparel
Buy Kenyan Tea
Rosebee Honey
Food & Beverage Pharmaceutical & Medical Equipment Food & Beverage
Rosebee Honey
Food Africa Enterprises Limited
Agriculture/ Fresh Produce
Food Africa
Loreal East Africa
Cosmetics
Nice And Lovely
Revital Healthcare (Epz) Limited
Pharmaceutical & Medical Equipment
Medical Disposables
Lab Technologies Innovations Limited
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Chapa Chai Jiko Koa
Nyati & Promask
ADOPTEES
MADE IN KENYA
Turea Limited(Dr. Matress
Timber, Wood & Furniture
Dr.matress
Zaverchand Punja Ltd
Jeilo Collections
Khangadelic Enterprises
Plastics & Rubber Leather & Footwear/ Textile & Apparel Textiles & Apparel
Khangadelic
The Olbene Collection
Textiles & Apparel
Olbene Collection
Kalees Collections
Jewelry
Kalees Collections
Malaika Gifts & Interiors
Textiles & Apparel
Malakia Gifts & Interiors
Elekea Ltd
Cosmetics
O’bao
Design Three Sixty Five Limited
Textiles & Apparel
Design365
Frederickbittiner Wear Limited
Textiles & Apparel
Frederick Bittiner Wear (Fb Wear)
Debssie Beads Amari (K)Limited
Leather & Footwear
Debssie Beads
Sumseron Tea Enterprises Limited Kenya Women Handicrafts Advisory And Development Centre Mwanzi Gifts & Crafts
Food & Beverage
Shamiri Chai
Leather & Footwear
Tbc
Textiles & Apparel
Mwanzi Gifts
Kapi Ltd
Chemical & Allied
Dudu Spray/ Dudukrin/Flower/ Flower Anti
Rift Valley Leather Ltd
Leather & Footwear
Rift Africa
Pippy Leather Works
Leather & Footwear
Pippy Leather
Sifa Wear & Decor
Textiles & Apparel
Sifa Crochets
Eden Leather Goods Limited.
Leather & Footwear
Eden Leather Goods
Bagman Tents And Leather
Leather & Footwear
Bagman Tents And Leather
Tosheka Textiles Ltd
Textiles & Apparel
Tosheka Textiles Ltd
Spot On Enterprises
Textiles & Apparel
Spot On Apparels
Milly Creations
Textiles & Apparel
Milly Creations
Boguk &Afra International Ltd
Textiles & Apparel
Boguk
Amazing Collections
Textiles & Apparel
Amazing Collections
Appi Colour Creation Limited
Building, Mining & Constuction
Appi Paints
La’aupau Llp
Health & Beauty
La’aupau
Kenchic Limited
Food & Beverage
Kenchic Limited
Jeilo Leather Collection Limited
MADE IN KENYA
28
ADOPTEES
Utake Coffee Limited
Food & Beverage
Utake Coffee Limited
Liz Njoroge Limited
Textiles & Apparel
L N C Limited
Mafleva International Limited
Health & Beauty
Shop Nanjala
Home & Living
Mafleva International Limited Soapstone,Metal Products
Peperuka
Textile & Apparel
Peperuka
Pete Stephenson
Leather & Footwear
Pete Stephenson
Dormans Coffee
Food & Beverage
Dormans Coffee
Vegasnax
Kula Hoops, Tasteez
Mamaz Spices
Food & Beverage Timber, Wood Products & Furniture Pharmaceutical & Medical Equipment, Health & Beauty Food & Beverage
Mamaz Spices
Ecofix Kenya Ltd
Health & Beauty
Ecofix Kenya Ltd
Totosci
Home & Living
Solar Mobile Usb Charger
Elpha Kenya
Health & Beauty
Mahogany Organics
Kijo’s Garden
Kijo’s Garden
Koko By Khakasa
Food & Beverage Chemical & Allied/ Health & Beauty Leather & Footwear
Henry’s Beverages
Food & Beverage
Arnys Chilli
Simama Group
Health & Beauty/ Textile & Apparel
Simama Group
Ramm Millers
Food & Beverage
Rami Flour
Microp Farms
Food & Beverage/Fresh Produce
Microp Farm
Polucon Services
Services & Consultancy
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Ikawa Coffee
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Kidz Furniture
Nipnap Diapers
Grounded Africa Koko By Khahasa
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Jebra Agencies
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Watiekele Widow Women Group
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Ruzi Enterprises
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Taystee Peanut & Taystee Simsim
One Stop Enterprise
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One Stop Enterprise
Alnoor Feisal & Co Ltd
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Monty Chai
Kolongei Farmers Self Help Group
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Mikunde Uji Mix
Wells Of Delight Enterprises
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Sifa Shoe Makers
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Sifa Shoe Makers
Bio Farms Ltd
Mikunde Uji Mix
Bio Farms Ltd
Milestone Commodities
Riverview Drinking Wate
Butty Box Ltd
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Biogel Handwash And Sanitiser Water Kefir
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Lheritier Ltd
Bodycare
Diro Jewellers And Enterprises
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Pure Purple Ltd
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Jareke Media And Production Hosue
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Khetia Drapers Ltd
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Bespoke And Intimate Ltd
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Umami Foods Ltd
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