27th JUNE 2023

Kayana Female MSME Awards 2023

MEET OUR JUDGES

Sarah Machio is an innovation strategist and incubation manager based at E4Impact Foundation. She is passionate about working with startups, SMEs, and already-established companies in scaling growth through innovative solutions to optimize their business processes. She specializes in startup development, digital innovation management, project management, and developing business plans.

Edgar Andagalu is a Digital Financial Services (DFS) expert with over twelve years of work experience in leading the implementation of innovative solutions across various sectors and markets within Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to venturing into DFS, he worked in the marketing communications industry for six years – all accumulating over seventeen years of work experience.

Salome Ayugi is the Kenya Country Manager at Sinapis who’s seen its significant scale across East Africa over the past 5 years. She is a highly experienced communications and marketing professional with a demonstrated history of working in private and non-profit organizations.

Lynn Sellanga is the Head of Operations- Africa at Impacc. She is a passionate advocate for startups, entrepreneurship, and job creation in Africa, with a strong belief that innovation is the key to solving the challenges we face. As a seasoned professional with over 11 years of experience in the Kenyan startup ecosystem, she is committed to helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams and contribute to the growth of our economy.

MEET OUR 2023 AWARDEES

Category: COMMUNITY IMPACT

We actualize community impact by availing scholarships, mentorship, internship, and job opportunities to the students, and then support them to impact the community via their own giving back projects.

In addition to this transformation, we have recently, started a business consulting arm for SMEs which thrives on the manpower of our students to support SMEs to enhance their investor-readiness by having books of account.

We therefore not only prepare the students for work but also provides work that further builds community impact, while supporting other SMEs in their financial management and growth endeavors.

Wangari Kuria is the Founder and CEO of Farmer on Fire Ltd. An organization based in Nairobi, Kenya, that provides end-to-end support for smallholder farmers in Africa. It also links established agribusinesses like AGRA, John Deere, Heifer International, and the Ministry of Agriculture to their farmer community of over 50,000 Smallholder farmers that follow the brand through digital channels.

Wangari is also passionate about the vulnerable single mothers from the pastoralist communities who are most affected by climate change and she incubates them in her model farms where she commercially produces mushrooms, BSFLarvae, and Azolla. She additionally trains the ladies table banking and at the end of the three months, They go ahead and start their own mushroom agri ventures.

Beatrice Fullal Foundation was formed as a legacy project by Ellein Nasieku in honor of her now-retired grandmother Beatrice Fullal pictured above who were an educator and a peace ambassador in the northern ASAL counties in Kenya. We come from a marginalized indigenous community known as Samburu.


Our community is located in the northern part of Kenya and we are nomads. Other than our rich cultural heritage, the Samburu people like many nomadic communities in Kenya have some harmful practices like FGM and early childhood marriages.

The aim of the foundation is to ensure that through education and mentorship, we can provide the marginalized communities within our home counties a chance at decent work, sustainable towns/communities, and sustainable economic growth.

Category: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Pure Purple is a contemporary footwear and accessories brand that is passionate about premium value addition on locally sourced leather and we do that with significant imprints in sustainability and community.

Our unique value proposition is the symbiosis between Passion and Mandate.

At Pure Purple our core pillars are Community, Craftsmanship & Sustainability which mirrors our vision and dedication to and for The People, The Natural Resources of our land, and The Earth.

Our Mission is to showcase Africa’s craftsmanship in excellence. Our 5 to 10 Year vision statement is to utilize upwards of 1 M square foot of locally sourced leather. It is to serve 100,000 consumers and create 200 jobs.

The harvesting of the stem is the first step in our manufacturing process, followed by the extraction of the fiber and weaving of the jewelry. This has given women in the rural homes of Busia, whom we train in jewelry weaving, an opportunity for economic empowerment. We reduce waste by collaborating with farmers from whom we purchase banana stems. Additionally, we work with local artisans in Kibera, the largest informal settlement in Nairobi, to jointly produce the brass accents we use to finish the jewelry. Nearly all of Kenya’s indigenous communities are represented among the residents here, who hail from various ethnic groups and have mostly settled in this area in search of stable sources of income.


Marachi culture is one of the most traditional, ethical, and long-lasting. Handwoven baskets, furniture weaving, rope twisting, and pottery are some of the main traditional crafts practices in this community. Handwoven baskets are used to serve a variety of purposes. They were used as agricultural tools for grain processing and storage, as well as for transporting food to market. This sustainable culture is dwindling, which is why we are working to restore it by repurposing and using it as inspiration for our banana fiber jewelry.

Harvesting for Good East Africa provides the necessary tools and services in helping improve access to fresh, healthy local food, using innovative approaches in resilient and regenerative agriculture known as permaculture.

We provided services in training individuals and gardeners in these principles and support them in implementing the plan whether small/large scale. We have worked with several community projects at the Ruiru Rehabilitation Centre, Naivasha Children’s Home, and Mbulia Primary School in Voi, which are now acting as model sites and other small-scale projects within Nairobi.

Our passion for the integration of sustainably responsible choices into our design works is a way of life. We strongly believe along with giving back to the planet, we must also give back to the community and offer skills and training to improve livelihoods.

Category: KAYANA CHOICE AWARDS

Revolutionary Coffee is a woman-owned business that buys, roasts, and sells Kenya’s amazing coffee.

Our focus is on revolutionizing the coffee space by working collaboratively, sourcing from women who often are providers of labor and not necessarily the ones who benefit from the coffee.

Revolutionary Coffee is about tapping into what you dream about and daring to do it! We target coffee lovers who appreciate the artisanal nature of specialty coffee. We source from farmers who tend the earth as well as our taste buds, we pay fairly for our coffee as the farmers are partners in our supply chain. Our coffee makes great gifts and is a reminder of the gift of Kenya’s rich soil and great people.

Busu Natural Skincare is a Kenyan female-owned and Female-run business; that proudly crafts premium quality, 100% natural skin moisturizers for clients with eczema issues, sensitive skin, and health-conscious individuals who are keen on what goes onto their skin.

Our products are made from locally sourced natural ingredients that are chosen for the required results, such as plant Distillates, hydrosols, different organic kinds of butter, and oils; free from Synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals.

The business was inspired by the challenges experienced by the Founder who grew up with a bad case of eczema. There was very limited research about the condition back then and it was a very costly condition to manage. The main solution was a gentle but effective moisturizer.

Stir Me Tea is a premium Tea brand founded by Sheena Patel, making premium teas available to local consumers and the global market.

Our mission is to make ours as a Kenyan tea brand a globally recognized name as Kenyan tea often loses its identity once it is bulk sold which is what the majority export of tea does.

Stir Me Tea is a premium Tea brand founded by Sheena Patel, making premium teas available to local consumers and the global market. Our mission is to make ours as a Kenyan tea brand a globally recognized name as Kenyan tea often loses its identity once it is bulk sold which is what the majority export of tea does.


https://stirmetea.com/

Category: MOST ADAPTIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Vivanet Solutions Ltd was established in 2014 to meet the changing business requirements for managed Audio-Visual solutions. It was clear that the convergence of Digital Audio-Visual and network security created an opportunity in the market for an independent reseller with expertise in both fields.

From re-imagining spaces through Unified Communications, Audio-visual, and Collaboration, facilitating a state-of-the-art technology experience through enterprise-wide audio-visual installations, to ensuring exceptional network performance and complete peace of mind with IT Infrastructure and Security, our solutions are backed by absolute service excellence and leading-edge innovation.

We specialize in Audio Visual Systems, CCTV, Access Control, and Customized Software Development. We provide customized solution packages that encompass design, supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning, maintenance, training, and technical support for a comprehensive range of professional audio-visual and control systems.

Blooming Flowers, Plants, and Designs Limited is a prominent floral company that specializes in offering export-quality bouquets, plants, and creative designs at affordable prices. The company was established with the primary objective of providing the local community with access to high-quality floral products that were typically reserved for export markets. Additionally, it aimed to create a supportive network for florists to foster their growth and development.

The company’s core mission is to bring the experience of premium, export-quality bouquets to the local population at affordable prices.

One of the key aspects that set Blooming Flowers apart is its commitment to creating a robust network of florists across various local towns. We have blooming flowers florist in over 10 towns in Kenya Like, Mombasa, Dianai, Malindi, Lamu, Kericho, Kisii, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Meru and still adding the list. By establishing this network, the company strives to empower and support local florists, providing them with opportunities to showcase their talent and expand their businesses. This collaborative approach not only strengthens the overall floriculture industry in Kenya but also contributes to the economic growth of local communities.

Grace Moreka was born in Kisii County, Kenya. She is a graduate of Finance from the United State International University Africa. Grace started her entrepreneurship journey at an early age. She would help her grandmother sell bananas at the market. Her business spirit continued all through to the university where she ventured into the business of selling clothes to fellow students. Grace not only enabled her fellow students access to affordable, quality, and smart clothing but also earned money that paid her tuition fees and catered for her personal expenses.

AMORE Business Systems and Ventures Ltd (well known as Amore) is a vibrant fashion store located in Nairobi, the heart of the largest economy in East Africa. The head office is located in Amore a three-time award-winning fashion brand that leverages technology to sell clothing to the vibrant middle class and professional community with a need for quality, ready-to-wear apparel at affordable rates. We have developed a special selling proposition that is consistently modified to meet high fashion trends as well as customers’ purchasing preferences. We aim to grow by serving our clients better, in line with our mission, as we strive to attain our vision. This venture has been in operation since 2014 and has grown its customer size by investing moderately in online marketing.

Category: MOST INNOVATIVE BUSINESS

At Angie’s Crochet, we have sought innovation in the footwear industry where we creatively design and sustainably produce sandals for ladies, gents, and kids.

Our handmade sandals are made from nylon or polyester Yarn, both faux and animal Leather, and a Rubber sole from recycled car tires. Our target market is people who are preferably happy, very artistic/creative, people with thriving sources of income, people with a keen eye on art, and are financially comfortable.

We mainly sell our handmade products online and we have grown our audience and markets through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok which has proved that the product is very profitable, functional, and unique altogether. Alongside our online store, we have managed to acquire physical spaces where we sell sandals to tourists in Watamu.

Imani Health is a savings e-wallet geared towards healthcare. We enable you to set money aside to meet either one-off healthcare needs such as delivery and recurrent healthcare needs such as healthcare for the elderly and those with chronic healthcare conditions.

The product is USSD based (*384*48#) and individuals can pay for healthcare in installments of their choice before they need the service.

The money saved has no limitations, exclusions, or waiting period

Other individuals can contribute to your health wallet e.g. children can contribute to the parent, spouse can contribute to the other.

She’s Rosemary Karoki, 30 years old, one of Kenya’s most prolific Entrepreneus.

As a Cottage Industrialist, she delved into the Food & Beverage industry as a matter of necessity.

With a daughter that was gluten and lactose intolerant, the family had to adjust, and fast. Initially, they halted any consumption of ice cream since the market then didn’t have anything pleasant.

However, being the shrewd investor she is, Rosemary saw an opportunity she could fill profitably.

That need occasioned the birth of *Wasty Lactose-Free ice cream.

The ice cream is manufactured from locally sourced, quality raw materials that make for a pleasant delicacy for you and your family.

Category: MOST RESILIENT BUSINESS

In 2015, Anyango Omondi, a self-taught designer, started creating jewelry inspired by these old traditions. She uses Bones, Beads, Brass, and stones in her unique creations evoking daily stories and the different seasons. This is how The brand Zanta Adeyde was created.

Over the years the passion has grown by designing and creating pure leather handbags and bespoke accessories and showcasing them at different global fashion shows i.e. Unesco Africa Week in Paris, Milan Fashion Week – in Italy, African Fashion Week -in London, and most recently African fashion Seattle-USA.

All our products are proudly hand-made in Kenya by a collective of young and expert craftsmen and women based in the Kibera slum. The brand directly supports more than twenty families with meaningful livelihood opportunities and support for cancer survivors.

Alata Styles formally opened its first/flagship outlet in Natu Court at the junction of Kilimani Ring Road and Ngong Road and was predominantly a household name in both male and female African wear for over 8 years. During this initial phase, the brand’s value and visibility were significantly enhanced by regular feature reviews in the Lifestyle Magazine of Saturday Daily Nation and this became the launch pad to the expansion that the group has since enjoyed.

Today, we profile ourselves as a leading ladies’ fashion and apparel store retailing formal office wear, casual and occasional ladies’ pants, tops, dresses, suits, and gowns. We are also the exclusive retailers for renowned shoe brands Luz Da Lua and Wirth (from Brazil) as well as Dave and Johnny Gowns (a leading fashion house in New York) In respect to scents, we mainly retail Bath and Body works products – entire beauty care, aromatherapy, and fragrance range (car scents, candles, wallflowers, etc) with a range of over 100 scents. We also stock Victoria’s Secrets beauty products, Body Shop as well as selected local beauty care brands.

At MANG WEAR a subsidiary of GITTS International, we specialize in the manufacture of school uniforms and industrial work apparel. MANG is an acronym for Mastering Apparel, Nurturing Greatness.

We distribute over 100,000 uniforms per year which may be used in sets. The main team consists of four full-time staff with over 10 part-time independent contractors. We have kept going through the Covid 19 challenges where we paid our team through the crisis to increase our output and have generated over 300 repeat customers with 10% of the 300 being re-distributors with a reach of about 1000 students each per institution. In total that means MANG Wear is a social enterprise that has a total reach of about 33000 users of our quality clothing annually.

MANG WEAR has won the South African AMI (African Management Institute) Survive and Thrive program after Covid19 hit. With the recent economic threats facing the School Uniform industry, we are staying determined, hence would love to win the Resilience Award.

Category: MOST RESILIENT BUSINESS

Stawi Wellness Center in partnership with Unshackled for Life and friends of Stawi Wellness has been instrumental in supporting prisoners and children in conflict with the law in Spiritual, Mental, and Material support in various prisons which was very impactful during Covid-19 when no visitors were allowed to prisons.

Stawi Wellness Center through Unshackled for Life is involved in CSR in the reintegration of prisoners back into society by giving Individual, Family, Child, and Adolescent Counseling support to families with members in incarceration.

Peperusha Binti is a women-led and youth-serving organization founded by Ms Sharon Jesscah, established and legally registered as a Community-Based Organization (CBO) that provides access to adolescents’ sexual reproductive health and rights information, services, and products with the aim of ending gender-based violence among young women and girls.

Peperusha Binti also educates young girls on menstrual hygiene, donates sanitary towels, and creates awareness on sexual reproductive health and rights and menstrual health for the minority with health challenges in informal settlement areas of Kisumu County.

Peperusha Binti is a registered Community Based Organization (CBO) mandated to implement interventions in the areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-based violence with a focus on adolescent teens and youth.

We thrive on buying Kenya build Kenya. We tailormade our manufacturing systems to fit the production of our local garments. This has been made a success by our loyal and consistent clientele. We have successfully gained their confidence and appreciation for affordability, quality, and style.

Our goal is to open different wholesale/retail stores outlets in different counties countrywide, in East Africa, and globally, to generate more revenue and of course more employment opportunities.

We have managed to create partnerships and trained them natured their skills and talents to be our subcontractors. We believe the clothing manufacturing industry in Kenya can drive Kenya’s industrial transformation and create millions of jobs that are required. We have developed a training manual for readymade garments production that suits us.

Category: THE DIASPORA EXCELLENCE AWARD

OUR INTENTION:

We want to inspire confidence in the African woman to be Black Out Loud. Additionally, we strive to make our products so good that they inspire happiness just by consuming them. Then your happiness inspires others and the whole world spirals into the same.

OUR PRODUCTS:

We provide superior quality, nutrient-dense, ethically sourced, and responsibly hand-crafted, natural skin and hair care products. Our products are naturally sourced and primarily organic, making them safe for children and infants. We scent exclusively with essential oils and tint with natural pigments. This exceptional integrity gives you remarkably positive outcomes.

Aaliyah began her business at the age of 16 after experiencing some mental health challenges. As she came to the realization that she was put on this earth to be of service to others she realized there was no quitting on life and that she could turn her story into her superpower.

Her organization Maisha Flow operating under In2EdAfrica is on a mission to provide at least a million girls in Kenya with access to uninterrupted education through the provision of sanitary products.

Aaliyah is a public speaker in Adelaide and raises money to support her cause. In 2022 she was a finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards. She has been recognized as one of her state’s top twenty women of influence and featured on National television in Australia. Aaliyah has also created her own coloring books which she sells as fundraisers for period poverty.

We create handcrafted, elegant, functional leather accessories to complement our customer lifestyle inspired by our African heritage. We pride ourselves in crafting items that communicate our diverse African culture, experiences, and perspective of people around the world while impacting the lives of the disadvantaged.

Our products are made of leather the by-products of the meat industry. We currently produce a range of products under the “Tlhokomelo” label. This includes bags, cases, belts, and wallets

Category: COMMITMENT TO STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Edibowl’s range of Sauces were initially made specifically to pair up with pasta dishes but a new range of Marinades and Chilli sauces was added. All Edibowl Sauces are versatile and can be used in different recipes that are both local and international.

Our mission is to be your gateway to culinary adventures by offering a wide variety of deliciously hand-crafted products for your cooking, grilling, and dining pleasure. To provide healthier options even as we offer convenience to our consumers.

Established in 2010, African Elite Group is an award-winning boutique PR agency in Kenya, an innovative communication consultancy firm, and a digital marketing partner helping brands stand out, remain relevant, and win the battle. We are the people whose passion lies in giving added value to our client’s needs. As specialists in PR, we offer cutting-edge strategies as well as help you engage with your company’s targeted market. Effectively and efficiently, the African Elite Group will work by your side to perfect your ideas.

OUR MISSION:

To be the leading PR solutions company in Africa offering original and tailor-made creative concepts and events with the highest level of professionalism.

OUR GOAL:

To have strong and positive lasting relationships with all of our clients, partner organizations, and associates.

WHO WE ARE:

We offer healthy breakfast cereal and granola bars. We ensure no preservatives, artificial flavors, or refined sugar that is used in our products. We have a range of muesli and granola bars.

WHAT WE DO:

Founded in August 2020, Ryaivas Foods is a healthy-selling company.

Our muesli comes in four different flavors namely:-

  • Cranberry
  • Chocolate
  • Swiss
  • Tropical