How firm got a leg up in shoe-making business

Eleven years ago, when the once-giant hides processor, the Leather Industries of Kenya, shut down operations at its Thika-based plant, Karim Nanji and a small clique of the then-management staff saw an opportunity to become business owners.

Demand for quality locally-made leather shoes was high, so the 11 reasoned that with their wealth of experience, their odds of finding success in the shoe-making business were good.