Meet Kenyan Lady Making Executive Decor, Drinking Glasses From Used Liquor Bottles

• Nyandia Kamawe quit her corporate job during the pandemic to pursue an unexpected journey of turning discarded glass bottles into beautiful decor items
• Despite the risks of resigning amid mass layoffs, Nyandia’s bold step led her to discover a niche business that now directly employs ten people
• Nyandia's glass decor business has attracted contracts from high-profile clients, including East African Breweries Limited, ZEP-RE, & ABSA, enhancing her brand’s reputation
• Her workshop in Dagoretti is not only thriving but also contributing positively to sustainability efforts, turning glass bottle waste into valuable decor

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when many were holding onto their jobs amid widespread uncertainty, one Kenyan lady, Nyandia Kamawe, made a bold decision: she resigned from her job.

While others might have considered this a risky move, given the massive layoffs that led to untold hardship for many, it marked the beginning of an adventurous, entrepreneurial journey for Nyandia and the birth of her MokoMaya crafts store.

Nyandia was working in the branding and communication department and also teaching UI/UX for web and mobile application students at a Nairobi-based company when she decided to call it quits.

At a time when jobs were scarce, she returned home, where, with little to do, she began experimenting with a heap of glass bottles stored in her house.

"I resigned and went home to do nothing, but it turns out it was a step towards self-realisation. Where I used to work, I was also mentoring some girls in design and branding. I maintained this role until the ladies graduated," shared the MokoMaya founder.

With not much to keep her busy, she spent most of her time with a glass cutter, attempting to transform bottles into something unique.

One day, she uploaded an image of a craft she had made, and to her surprise, someone asked how much it was selling for.

“It was a shocker. I didn’t know people would be interested in buying,” Nyandia told TUKO.co.ke in an interview.

Recognising the business potential, Nyandia, who had previously taught design in the US before returning to Kenya in 2011, decided to refine her skills.

Using her background in design and her keen understanding of colours and their combinations, her craft started to gain attention and generate sales.

"I remember showcasing my merchandise at a pop up market in Karen, Nairobi. People were buying my stuff, and I couldn’t believe it. Sometimes I feel like recalling some of the products I made back then to replace them with better ones," she joked.

How Nyandia converts glass to decor

Nyandia's business model involves collecting used glass bottles and transforming them into various items, including drinking glasses and decorative ornaments for home décor.

The glasses are cut and intricately redesigned, often being repurposed as gifts for different occasions.

"I have studied colour; this is one of my competitive edges. I know how to match them to create the desired mood," she explained.

As demand for her products grew, Nyandia realised she needed additional hands to keep up with orders. Currently, her production line employs 10 people directly and around 30 indirectly.

Her dedication and unique craft have brought her in contact with influential figures, including Professor Muhammad Yunus, during her graduation from the SHE Stars programme by Absa in partnership with Yunus Environmental Hub & GIZ.

She has also been contracted to supply branded merchandise for ZEPRE, a reinsurer firm in Africa and a specialised institution of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), during its 30th anniversary.

Additionally, East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) partnered with her to supply branded merchandise for the release of its sustainability report. She is also part of the Rudisha Programme, a waste management initiative by EABL aimed at closing the loop on glass bottle waste in Kenya.

Challenges in Nyandia's business

With the same machines used to cut bottles for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, marketing to Muslim consumers has been challenging.

"Due to Halal rules, it’s difficult to market the product to them. Some of those who have seen the products say they like them but are constrained by Halal restrictions. This could mean investing in a separate Halal-compliant manufacturing line, which is costly," she explained.

In addition to her website, her products are available for purchase at eCandi (Nairobi's premier sustainability shop) in Rosslyn and Anselm Kitengela stores at Village Market and Junction Mall.

Environment PS Festus Ng'eno praised Nyandia's workshop in Kaberia, Dagoretti, for its positive contribution to sustainability and environmental conservation.

"This is an excellent initiative, particularly in cleaning up the environment and reducing waste. As a government, we have departments that support such efforts through capacity building and even funding," Ng'eno remarked on Wednesday, September 4, during the launch of Absa Bank's sustainability report.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke