Made in Nairobi

Sometimes it seems easier to get things made here than to buy them ready-made.

Three examples illustrate this:

I wanted a white coat for work (unlike UK, one can’t be a professional without here) and the first one found for me advertised a chemical company! I didn’t use it, I borrowed a plain one for a while, but then to my surprise I was told a tailor would be coming at 10 o’clock to measure me for a new one. This being Nairobi, he didn’t come at 10 but he did arrive the next day. I await the product.

My office was a bit grubby when I arrived and I had no writing paper or other office goods. The window had some filthy and ripped net curtains. Within one day I had some very nicely made curtains in blue and gold, but I‘ve had to go and buy scissors, paper, stapler etc.

I have been looking for more comfortable chairs in my lounge. The shops and second-hand sales had big suites for lots of money but I didn’t need such a suite and I didn’t want to spend the money! I therefore headed for the Ngong Road where there is a kilometre of furniture stores; not stores where they sell furniture but shacks where they make it. There are welders and carpenters making anything you want in wood or metal. They do it on the rough ground between the shacks and the road. I sat on a number of chairs and eventually found a two-seater that was nearly right but not quite. With 2” off the seat, 3” on the back and a different material.... I paid a deposit on Tuesday night and on Saturday morning picked up the finished product, made to my size and ready to go for about £50.

The maker offered to show me a catalogue of other chairs. I expected a few sketches or photos but instead he produced an Argos catalogue (there is no Argos in Kenya) and offered to make anything in it. I might just take him up on the offer.

Please see pics of the coat, the shack and the settee.

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