NAIROBI, KENYA – For more than five decades, the social enterprise Kazuri Beads, based in Nairobi, has been an invaluable source of employment for local women, especially single mothers, making jewellery from regional clay.
Kazuri, which means ‘small and beautiful’ in Swahili, began as a workshop in 1975 with just two artisans. It has grown into a major employer of skilled female artisans, using handmade processes to mould, fire, paint, and string each bead. The workshop makes up to 24,000 beads every week, enough to make thousands of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
In addition to making jewellery, Kazuri acts as an important source of income. For example, for an artisan like Beth Mugure, the workshop provides a reliable source of income to support her family, including her children, under difficult circumstances. The manager, Noora Zein, noted that their main goal is to empower these women and build resilience.
Despite its continued success, Kazuri still faces business challenges, such as rising operational expenses and heavy reliance on tourists. Tourist numbers drive business performance, so the company must strike a delicate balance between the premium nature of its products and keeping prices low.
Fifty years later, Kazuri is still upholding traditional craft while improving people’s lives in Nairobi.
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