Our Braiders
Reflections, interviews, and journeys from across the Kenyatta Market community.
One of the youngest women in government, Silantoi advocates for female workers
Photos by Elsa Kariuki Silantoi is pictured beaming outside her office in a stunning pink pantsuit. Silantoi Suzanne is used to being the only woman in the room. She’s also usually the youngest in…
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Stability and Opportunity: Ruth's Journey in Kenyatta Market
Photos by Elsa Kariuki Kenyatta Market has always meant stability for Ruth Katinda Mutuko. And even now, 20 or so years later, not much has changed. Ruth’s story is a normal one, a good one. It…
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“I can’t give up”: Kenyatta Market still deserves Nairobi’s support, says Jemma
Photos by Carly Steyer When Jemmimah Atieno Owya was young, the government employee tasked with printing her first ID misheard the teenager's faint voice. Jemmimah walked out with a new name:…
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One of the only male hair braiders in Kenyatta, Willtson reflects
Photos by Elsa Kariuki Kenyatta Market has over 500 hair braiders. Of those 500, some have a college degree, most do not. Some are mothers, some are breadwinners, some are serial entrepreneurs, and…
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Unleashing Cathy's Potential: How Traditional Artisans Aim to Adapt to Online Platforms
Photos by Elsa Kariuki Technology is holding Catherine Ndanu back. For most 40-somethings, Instagram doesn’t need to be their domain. A few years ago, Cathy (as she’s affectionately known), would…
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Lilian's "Braids Cafe" caters to Kenyatta with Inclusive Luxury and Economic Opportunity
Photo by Elsa Kariuki In Kenyatta Market, Lilian’s salon stands out. In an alley of butcheries and salons without doors, Braids Cafe is an air-conditioned haven with running water, wifi, and toilets.…
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Honoring a Mother's Memory: The Role of Kenyatta Market in a Daughter's Grief
Photos by Elsa Kariuki It was Connie’s mother who first showed her the beauty of Kenyatta Market and the ability it had to change lives. But when Connie’s mother passed away in February, it’s the…
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Economic Instability, Emotional Stability: How Kenyatta Market Became Lucy's Home
Photos by Elsa Kariuki Lucy Ann Adhiambo loves to work. Well, maybe it’s better to say Lucy loves the freedom work affords her. She loves getting her own paycheck, living in her own house, buying her…
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Video: Following Doris through the market
Carly Steyer video by Omoke Ogao [](https://www.braidingnairobi.com/post/braidinghair)
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Chairman Moses on how he leads with hope
Photos by Carly Steyer Moses Wekhanya Wenani has become good at mediating – a skill he’s perfected in his role as Kenyatta Market’s chairman. It’s a useful skill, especially when it comes to…
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Rose blooms in Kenyatta Market
Carly Steyer For Rose Orata, Kenyatta Market was a fresh start from a life left hopeless by a man. A man who abandoned her, who isolated her and her children, who left her without. Kenyatta Market…
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Beyond the Chair: a reflection
At Braiding Nairobi, we've always viewed Black hair as art - but we didn't know the best way to display it as such. Over the past year of operation, we've completed dozens of styles. Box braids,…
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Two beauty queens, two perspectives on Kenyatta Market
Bonnie (left) on a Zoom call with Sarah (right). Photo by Carly Steyer There are dozens of instances in which Sarah Kuruswo and Bonnie Achieng could have met. There were the Miss Kenya training…
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Rosemary's story: how to thrive beyond the market
Kenyatta market has been Rosemary Wadenya’s life force for nearly half of her life. Truly, it is the thing and the place that’s kept her alive. It is the thing and the place that’s brought food to…
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A History Woven in Strands
It’s difficult to remember an Africa without outside influence - without colonial borders and rule and western languages and forced labor. Said colonial rule was set on erasing our history, painting…
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The problem with the gig economy: Labor activist Bruno's passions and insights
Photos by Elsa Kariuki It’s hard to find someone as passionate as Bruno, particularly when it comes to workers’ rights. In fact, it’s all he can – no – wants to talk about. Get him going, and behind…
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Wishing she left Kenyatta Market earlier, Stella creates a new life
Photos by Carly Steyer It’s hard for Stella Mwende to recall one exact moment, one exact trigger that caused her to pack up her combs, give away her chair, and leave Kenyatta Market without turning…
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Joanna Kinuthia on entrepreneurship and using her influence for good
Photo courtesy of Moderne Studio Over two years ago, Joanna Kinuthia posted a video about four thumb length birds floating across her collar bone on her YouTube channel. Her new tattoo is special to…
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Despite health scares and grief, Margaret creates a home in the market
Margaret in her salon at Kenyatta Market. Photos by Elsa N. Kariuki Margaret Ogare never had children. It’s not that she didn’t want to. No, once upon a time she dreamed of children. She dreamed of…
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Haki Did That - and she's just getting started
Photo courtesy of Paula Mwithaga Paula Mwihaki Mwithaga’s early hair experiences were rooted in pain. Every few weeks, her mother would take her and her sisters to get their hair done. For hours,…
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