Ken-Knit (Kenya) Ltd.

By William Kiptoo

Ken-Knit (Kenya) Ltd. is a textile manufacturing company located in Eldoret, Kenya. It was founded in 1966 by three brothers - Gulabchand Shah, Somchand Shah, and Keshavlal Shah. With an initial capital of Sh50,000, the company started small with just one knitting machine producing hand-knitting yarn. However, over time, they expanded into spinning, blankets, knitwear, and other products.



Initially focusing on hand-knitting yarn, Ken-Knit soon diversified into spinning units, blanket departments, and knitwear. They have grown into a major textile manufacturer in East Africa, known for their quality knitwear. In the late 1970s, they introduced a Composite spinning and dyeing plant for various types of yarn. Ken-Knit has kept up with modern technology, investing in machinery to ensure top quality and durability in their products.
Ken-Knit offers a wide range of products, including sweaters, blankets, Maasai shukas, pillows, and kikois. They are also a leading manufacturer of school sweaters, police, and army sweaters. The company has made a significant impact in the textile sector in East and Central Africa.
As the first fully integrated textile manufacturing company in the region, Ken-Knit is a major employer in the North-Rift region, with a workforce of 2,000. The Shah family's business has been a success story, showcasing the potential of family businesses in Kenya.

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