A Passion

Maasai women beading joyfully as Murugi celebrates them — Amboseli, Kenya

Born and raised in Kenya, Murugi Kenyatta knew at an early age that women and girls possessed remarkable talents and abilities that were often downplayed, dismissed or remained untapped. She was inspired to right this injustice by fellow Kenyan, Professor Wangari Maathai. Dr. Maathai was a fearless environmentalist, social activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize — A role model and an inspiration for many African women.

Murugi was motivated to follow her passion for women's economic empowerment when she first heard Dr. Maathai’s call to action in a story she (Maathai) loved to tell, "I will be a hummingbird - I will do the best I can." Murugi’s answer to the impassioned call was to become a champion for women's economic empowerment and to make a commitment do the best that she could to amplify the work and stories of women whose contributions were unrecognized and their promise unrealized.

As the founder of KAZANA, Murugi seeks to celebrate and recognize unheralded East African women, the Maasai master beaders of Amboseli, by introducing them and their work to the socially conscious consumer. The aim is to direct the flow of wealth to these talented and industrious women by facilitating direct access to the international market through fair and just trade.

The KAZANA team strongly believes that the global community can harness the power of markets to effect positive social change.

KAZANA is a Swahili word that has many related meanings including, make a united effort; hold together; work hard; keep at it; and exert energy. This spirit of a united effort is the vision behind KAZANA.  

Join us! Together we will shift the needle for Amboseli women and help them realize their aspirations — one of which is a deep desire to enroll their girls in school. 

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