Sourcing traditional fabrics from all over Africa such as Ankara from West Africa, Kikoy from Kenya and Kente from Ghana, Kitu Kali shoes are the polar opposite of disposable, mass-produced fashion.
“No two pairs of Kitu Kali shoes are exactly the same. They’re made from 100% African cotton in authentic, tribal designs with recycled lining material and locally-sourced soles” says Julie Munyi, Founder of Kitu Kali Africa.
Julie Munyi set up the original company 2 years ago after growing up in poverty in Nairobi and working as a teacher for 10 years. Her shoemaking company grew from strength to strength and after a series of successful exhibitions and fashion shows in Africa and London Julie met up with 3 Kenyan, London-based individuals who came up with a joint plan to expand the business to Europe and beyond, starting in the UK.
Kitu Kali are proud to announce that on 8th of November 2018, they will be officially launching their Kickstarter campaign.
They have a truly African-born product and it’s the people involved in the process that make Kitu Kali shoes special. Each skilled artisan from the Kibera district of Nairobi plays a part in their creation.
Kitu Kali shoes support their local community, celebrate African culture and oppose the fast fashion culture.
Mass-produced, they are not.
Julie says “Yes, there is a lot of hardship here in the Kibera district but an awful lot of talent.”
The shoes are made from 100% African cottons galvanised by fortified denim for durability. The soles are made from locally-sourced rubber in Kenya with recycled inner materials and no electricity used in the production process. Every pair you buy empowers the talented craftsmen and women from the Kibera district of Nairobi which is one of the poorest regions of Africa.
Kitu Kali want to employ more artisans, improve their living and working conditions and increase production capacity in a sustainable and ethical way in one of Kenya’s poorest regions.
They also want their flair for vibrant and sustainable shoes to be shared by everyone wherever they may live.
Find out about the Kickstarter campaign >
View the Kickstarter YouTube video >