Gone are the days when women were only considered as homemakers. The current generation has seen women rising against all odds to be among the most powerful people on earth. The following are among top successful and re-known female entrepreneurs in Kenya who have mastered and navigated entrepreneurship world to become CEOs of multi-billion companies;
Flora Mutahi, Founder and CEO Melvin’s tea
Flora Mutahi is the chair lady of Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). She was appointed the first ever female chairperson of KAM on 21st July 2016.
The Kenyan tea tycoon and founder and CEO of Melvin Marsh International started her first Kenyan flavored tea company in the mid-90s.
Before starting the company, she used to work for an auditing firm with clients in food processing. It was at this point that she realized the market gap and demand for flavored tea. She then decided to quit her auditing job and set up her own tea company.
Her company is currently worth billions in total assets and serves both local and international markets.
Tabitha Karanja, Founder and CEO Keroche Breweries
Tabitha Karanja started her breweries company – Keroche Breweries – in 1997 using capital acquired from her hardware in Naivasha.
Her company, Keroche Breweries is the second largest liquor producing company in East Africa after East Africa Breweries Limited.
Currently, her company is worth billions of Kenyan shillings. Its main brands are Summit Lager and Summit malt.
Gina Din Kariuki, founder and CEO Gina Din
The 55-year-old Gina Dina is a successful business woman and mother of two from Nanyuki. She is specialized in strategic communication and public relations. Former Barclays Bank employee was named one of top 100 most influential Africans in business by the New African Magazine.
Gina Din Kariuki is the founder and CEO of Gina Din; a leading independent and indigenous strategic communications agency in East Africa.
Judith Owigar, co-founder of Akirachix
Judith cofounded Akirachix in 2010 at iHub. Her desire to see a bigger representation of women in technology is what prompted her to start the organization with her colleagues. The organization has grown since 2010 from holding only meet-ups to running 4 successful initiatives: i.e. high school outreach program, the training program, kids outreach program and community building program.
Njeri Rionge, Founder Wananchi Online
Njeri Rionge one of the pioneers of the ICT sector in Africa. She is the Founder of multi – billion companies Wananchi Online, Wananchi Group Holdings, Ignite Consulting, Insite Limited, Business Lounge, Njeri Rionge Business Consulting Inc
Wananchi Group holdings which Njeri Rionge co-founded is one of east Africa’s leading providers of pay-tv, broadband internet, and VoIP services.
Olive Gachara, Founder couture Africa Magazine
Olive is the founder of Olive Image and Couture Africa Magazine which is an image consultant and a magazine publishing firm.
The 31-year-old Kenyan fashionpreneur is a Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, Certified Image Consultant, Fashion Stylist, Fashion Show Producer, Model Agent, Speaker, and Mentor. She is a self-made business person who is indeed making a difference in the East African.
Julie Gichuru, Founder Arimus Media Ltd, and African Media Personality
Julie Gichuru is an entrepreneur and African media personality. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Arimus Media Limited, a production house focused on quality AFRICAN content, and MIMI HOLDINGS LTD, a fashion retail business.
The 43-year-old mother of 5 has worked for various media houses in the country.
she initially worked for Capital FM then moved to KTN, later on, she worked at NTV before moving to Royal Media Services.
Waceke Nduati, Founder and CEO Centonomy
Waceke founded Centonomy LTD in 2009 with the vision to help people interact with their money more wholesomely and better use it as a tool to live out their dreams.
She was nominated as one of the Top 50 Women Entrepreneurs in November 2007.She regularly speaks on money, entrepreneurship and career success on Citizen TV, KTN, K24, NTV, KBC and Capital FM.
Waceke Nduati has been the Financial Columnist for The Daily Nation’s Saturday Magazine since 2011.