SHOPPING IN WESTLANDS

Maasai Market

A collection of stalls offering traditional Maasai beadwork translated into belts, jewellery and home wares all of which have been hand-made by the women of the Maasai community, many of whom are selling their own wares.

Blue Market

A collection of stalls offering a wide array of handicrafts to include: baskets, jewellery, cotton khangas and Kikoys, soapstone carvings, wooden carvings, masks and general bric-a-brac.

Banana Box, Sarit Centre

An imaginative display of beautifully packaged and presented gift items, home wares, fashions, jewellery, stationery, glassware, basket and more. Ideal for gift shopping plus supports numerous self-help groups. 

Spinner’s Web, Peponi Road

An excellent collection of quality crafts, pottery, textiles and jewellery, much of it sourced from women’s groups.

One Way

A stylishly designed and quality-made collection of embroidered and printed T-shirts for all the family, beachwear, casual wear, accessories and a well-presented linen range.

SHOPPING IN RUNDA AND MUTHAIGA

Lisa’s Muthaiga Mini Market and Home Gallery

Both the shop outlet and the home gallery are treasure troves of wonder for all who love African arts. From the moment you enter through the front door, you are welcomed into this beautiful home that is decorated with the best quality and design, Kenyan-made furniture scattered with cushions made from unique Raffia and Kuba fabrics backed with suede. The walls are covered with fabulous paintings by some of Kenya's top artists and, of course, a great range of African sculptures is displayed throughout. The entire house is simply filled with interesting and unique pieces from the entire African continent, each with its own story and history. Other items include; jewellery, bags, pashminas, beadwork, photographs and homewares.

SHOPPING AT THE JUNCTION, NGONG ROAD

Zebu

A small boutique marketing the wares of a gifted range of local jewellery and fashion designers; specializing in stylish leather and suede handbags, sandals, suede fashions, beadwork and other chic but ethnic crafts.

Kitengela Glass 

This recycled glass in aquamarine and dark blue has been made into a range of chunky glasses, jugs, beads and stained-glass panels. If interested in the recycling process, the factory is not far from Nairobi and visits can be arranged.

Kikoi.Com

All items made out of pure cotton Kenyan Kikoys (oblong wraps originally worn by Swahili men but now worn by everyone): dressing gowns, beach wear, accessories, children’s wear and much more.

SHOPPING IN KAREN/ LANGATA

Matbronze Wildlife Art

A fine-art foundry specializing in the ‘lost wax’ process to cast bronze wildlife figures.

Kazuri Beads and Pottery

Kazuri, meaning ‘small and beautiful’ in Swahili, makes exquisite handmade ceramic beads, jewellery and pottery. Established more than 25 years ago, over the years it has given a number of near-destitute women an important livelihood. You can watch all processes of the beads being made at the workshop, a finely dexterous process, and there’s also a shop.

Utamaduni Bogoni 

This is a one-stop shop for diverse, quality curios and Africana, with some 18 individual craft shops located here. 

The House of Treasures

A stylish and very up-market gallery of antique and modern furniture artifacts, fashions, jewellery, books, home-ware, children’s toys and more. 

UniquEco Designs

UniquEco Designs is a small but growing company based in Nairobi that recycles discarded flip-flops into attractive jewellery accessories and other handicrafts.

Thousands of discarded flip-flops wash up on the African shoreline. This indestructible rubber creates an environmental disaster for the marine eco-system as it spoils the natural beauty of the beaches, is mistakenly swallowed by marine feeders and prevents hatching turtles reaching the safety of the sea. Yet on the coast of Eastern Africa local women and children have been encouraged to collect the washed up waste and turn it into saleable products such as key rings, belts, earrings and bags.