Our Story

Founded in Nairobi by Chebet Mutai, Wazawazi is the definition of contemporary African design.
A people-first company, working with ethically produced materials to create products that represent the pinnacle of African craftsmanship.

Chebet Mutai Wazawazi

Chebet Mutai
Founder & CEO, Wazawazi

Chebet Mutai grew up in Nakuru, Kenya, where her public service parents worked. After studying economics and French at Kenyatta University, she was lucky enough to land a job at the World Bank.

Feeling disillusioned and wanting to make real change, Chebet left this promising career in economics to establish Wazawazi in 2012. She wanted to stop theorizing about the impact and instead be an agent of change. Providing practical solutions to everyday problems in Africa through value-creation.

To date, Chebet has created over 270+ jobs, trained over 300+ artisans, and funded education for more than 50 Kenyan youths.

Since starting Wazawazi, Chebet has been featured in Forbes Africa and spotlighted on Beyoncé’s‘ Black Parade Route’; a movement that celebrates Africa’s heritage, diversity, culture, love, and the beauty of the motherland as a whole.

Wazawazi designs, produces, and distributes 100% Made in Kenya lifestyle products, that have an undisputed reputation for style, exceptional quality of materials, and skillful artistry.

Since its inception, its purpose has always gone far beyond just making a profit. It is their belief that they have a fundamental mission to create value for humanity starting with the communities that they are a part of. Wazawazi is people-positive, investing in the welfare of every individual that they connect with from their customers to their artisans.

They have begun to accomplish their mission of making beautiful, unique, and cultural expressions in luxury leather goods and at the same time, do so by employing Kenyan men and women and empowering them with income and skills to change not just their own, but their family's futures too.