Glass with Soul. Fire with Purpose.
Who We Are
Kitengela Glass is a pioneering glassblowing studio just outside Nairobi, Kenya. Founded over 30 years ago, we transform discarded glass into vibrant, functional, and sculptural works of art. What began as a bold experiment in colour, fire, and sustainability has grown into one of Africa’s most iconic and imaginative craft enterprises.
Our Mission
We recycle and reimagine waste into objects and experiences that have a future, serve a function, and spark joy. We’re here to embed glassmaking as a living African craft — rooted in this place, speaking a global language of beauty, resilience, and innovation.
What We Do
From handblown glassware to architectural installations, chandeliers to furniture, beads to sculpture — every piece from our studio is made by hand, with care, curiosity, and conscience. We run a working studio, open to the public, where visitors experience the heat, rhythm, and magic of glass in motion. And we host travellers in unique spaces, surrounded by wild design, art, and nature.
Why We Do It
Because waste is a resource. Because craft matters. Because Africa deserves to be seen through a new lens — not just as a market or a story, but as a source of design leadership, material intelligence, and creative grit. Kitengela isn’t just a place — it’s a living proof-of-concept for a more circular, expressive, and connected way of making.
Come Closer
Our story begins with a patch of scrubland, and a furnace built from scratch. It’s a tale of flame, family, and fearless invention. Follow it deeper: