Crafts and Markets

To browse and establish a good value for Crafts and Markets in Kenya, if you have the time, go to downtown Nairobi’s Biashara Street neighborhood. It has a huge variety of, well, everything at fixed and very reasonable prices.

Unless you’re after certain antique sculptures, masks and xylophones, you would have a hard time matching these prices by bargaining anywhere else. And probably a lot more hassle.

For traditional fabrics and cloths such as kikois, kangas and kitenge’s, there is also a brilliant assortment of shops along Biashara Street , where you can explore and get the best prices around.

African Woman Batik

The traditional Maasai Markets are being held on different days during the week at different location throughout Nairobi. There is one at Junction Mall on Thursday’s, Galleria Mall has a permanent one and at Village Market on Friday’s!

Kariokor Market is a huge open-air market where you can find everything from traditional fabrics and souvenirs to food items such as vegetables, fish, fruit etc.

NOTE: Be careful and advised that when visiting any of these busy markets, to better leave all your valuables at the hotel and to watch out for thieves at all times and keep your backpack/handbag close to you (best in front).

Nairobi has also a number of craft shops or community craft centers, which have charitable status, and/or associated with development or self-help projects. They can be sometimes a bit expensive and most of the time you cannot really bargaining, but they often have unusual and unique items, that make great gifts and souvenirs.

Art Craft Events & Festivals, like Bizarre Bazaar, Bargain Box etc have become very popular and they happen throughout the year.

Following is a List of brilliant Crafts and Markets that often create many of their own items/products, support local women, help the environment and in general produce amazing things that are very unique to Kenya!! Enjoy!

List of Crafts and Markets

Art FairArt Fair

Shuka Duka - Hardy, Kenya

Shuka Duka is a funky shop that specialises in all things shuka! They use different thicknesses of shuka to create picnic blankets, fleece lined blankets, hot water bottles, beanbags, oven mitts, safari chairs and stools, bags and a range of other textile goods. The show piece of the shop is the Beads of a Feather jewellery bar, where you can make your own jewellery collection from over 50000 beads!

Elephants4Life - Nairobi, Kenya

Elephants4Life came into being from an urgent need to save our elephants from extinction! All bags are handcrafted by Kenyan artisans using natural leather & African fabrics! By buying one of the Bags you will be directly contributing to this education initiative & helping in our struggle to try & protect these majestic creatures.

Eclastic - Mbagathi, Nairobi

Eclastic (Eco & Plastic) aims at producing delightful jewelry, made of all kinds of discarded plastic. All Jewelry is 100% hand-made. Each piece is unique. ‘We cut, burn, bake, melt and assemble each piece with a lot of patience and respect for the environment.’

Banana Box - Sarit Cenre, Nairobi

It is a little on the expensive side but it is a great place for presents and last minute shopping to bring gifts home to friends. It supports self-help groups that create wonderful crafts in skillful, naturally based packaging.

Art Photography/Karim Kara - Karen, Nairobi

Karim Kara is a Kenyan born and bred, self taught, independent filmmaker and photographer. He uses his photography as an Art-form and as a vehicle to educate people and to raise awareness about the dire situation that the animals, especially the Elephants, face in the ever so fast changing environment in Kenya.

Kitengela Glass - Junction Mall, Nairobi

If you like recycle glass art, this is the place to check out! The colors mainly used are dark blue and aquamarine. Especially the drinking glasses are wonderful! The factory is close to Nairobi and you can go for visits easily.

MARO designs - Parklands, Nairobi

At Maro designs we are “women working for women”! Many of our employees are single mothers. Our products are Eco-friendly, using leftover CowHorns and CowBones are the main raw material, including up-cycled metal, cotton and glass. They are skillfully crafted and combined into unique contemporary jewelry for women with style! Every necklace a unique piece of art!

Drop of a Hat - Nairobi

Drop of a Hats Bespoke Hats, Headpieces, Turbans, Buttons and Fascinators are unique, young, vibrant and affordable and there is something for everyone. She was recognized with the Product Design Award from Samantha Bridal's Wedding Fair February 2015

Utamaduni Crafts Centre - Bogoni East Road, Karen/Langata

There are eighteen individual crafts and markets shops in one large beautiful old villa, which was opened by Richard Leakey in 1991 (a portion of the profit go to the Kenya Wildlife Service). It has everything you might want, most of it is made right there on the premises or from street-kid projects; quality and prices are on the high side. The attached Verandah restaurant is a wonderful place to sit & relax! Absolutely worth the drive! - An option to a taxi is to take the bus/matatu #24

Kazuri Beads & Pottery Centre - Mbagathi Ridge, Karen

Kazuri, (small and beautiful), works with nearly 300 formerly impoverished women, that create an extraordinary variety of handmade jewelery and beads, mainly from ceramic. Bold and colorful designs present the culture and wildlife of Kenya. The stuff is expensive, but very lovely. You can watch the whole process when you go for a visit. There are retail outlets at Village Market, Limuru Rd, Westlands, and the Junction Shopping Centre, Ngong Rd.

One Way - Nairobi

One Way produces a range of high-quality products made from kikoy fabrics. It includes clothing like pants, shorts & skirts, sarongs, table cloths, beach bags and t-shirts. They have several branches in Nairobi including the Sarit Centre, Yaya Centre and Village Market.

Spinner’s Web - Spring Valley, Nairobi

A large shop selling a lot of good stuff – crafts, textiles, woolen goods and jewelery, much of it made by self-help groups and individuals, including Meru’s Makena Textile Workshop.

Woodley Weavers - Joseph Kag’ethe Road, Nairobi

Single mothers from the Kibera slum, using local wool, cotton and plant dyes, supply this 'rug gallery' with a variety of different woven rugs.


More recommended Links for Crafts and Markets in Kenya:



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