From Kakuma to the World: How Tabitha Wanjira and IConnect Kenya Are Changing the Game for Artisans

Step into the #MadeinKakuma container at the UNHCR compound, and you’ll find more than a shop; you’ll experience a living tapestry of resilience, creativity, and community ambition. At the center of this transformation is Tabitha Wanjira, team lead at IConnect Kenya and founder of the Kuza platform, whose work unlocks global opportunities for artisans who once felt invisible.

Tabitha shares that technology was not the biggest hurdle in launching Kuza; trust was. Many Kakuma and Kalobeyei artisans faced broken promises from buyers and organizations, making them wary of new initiatives. Convincing them to invest time in professional branding, product photography, and digital marketing meant first building real relationships and trust.

The breakthrough came when Kuza evolved from a simple e-commerce site into a comprehensive market-access ecosystem. Investments in storytelling, capacity building, and buyer engagement boosted artisans’ confidence, especially when the first meaningful orders arrived and income flowed directly into their businesses.

The journey took a major leap forward thanks to a strategic partnership between EldoHub and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Through this collaboration, IConnect Kenya was shortlisted in a competitive innovation challenge, securing funding and acceleration support. This boost helped Tabitha and her team scale their impact, refine their business model, and reach more artisans across Kakuma and beyond.

“EldoHub’s support, combined with ILO’s resources and mentorship, gave us the momentum we needed,” Tabitha reflects. “It wasn’t just about money; it was about being part of a community that believes in our vision and helps us build for the long term.”

Among the many success stories, one stands out: a local basket weaver who, with Kuza’s market linkages, secured a bulk order worth Ksh 300,000. Before this, her sales were unpredictable and barely met daily needs. The order allowed her to buy more materials, employ other women, and become a beacon of hope in her community. Her success inspired others to believe their crafts could reach international buyers, shifting mindsets from survival to growth.

With support from EldoHub and the ILO, the #MadeinKakuma container became a shared retail space, bringing together over 20 refugee and host-community brands. Instead of isolated businesses competing for limited opportunities, the container became a hub where artisans collaborate, learn, and showcase Kakuma’s full creativity. Customers can discover a wide array of products in one visit, and online buyers have confidence in a physical anchor for their purchases. Perceptions are changing. “We’re not just seen as beneficiaries anymore; we’re recognized as business owners, employers, and contributors to the local economy,” Tabitha says.

Tabitha is candid about early missteps. “We thought building a website was enough to drive sales, but real growth came when we focused on buyer relationships, product quality, and the stories behind every item.” This learning, supported by EldoHub’s acceleration resources, shaped Kuza’s unique approach: blending technology with trust and commerce with community.

Being recognized at the Pioneers Forum in Turin, Italy, was a proud milestone reinforcing that refugee entrepreneurship is about economic development, not just humanitarian support. IConnect Kenya’s vision, shared by EldoHub and its partners, is to position Kakuma as a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, with products that compete in regional and global markets.

“Our goal is sustainable systems that empower entrepreneurs long after any project ends,” Tabitha says. “With the right skills, finance, digital tools, and visibility, communities can build lasting resilience.”

Every #MadeinKakuma purchase supports real people and real dreams. Explore, connect, and help rewrite what’s possible for artisans in Kakuma. Thanks to the partnership between EldoHub, ILO, and innovators like Tabitha, the future is wide open, and everyone is invited to be part of the story.