Statement of identity: Gen Z revive kitenge as designers push for local industry growth

Models showcase during the 8th Kitenge Festival 2025 held at Rupas Mall in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on May 31,2025.

Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group

Gen Z is boldly reclaiming the kitenge — once seen as a preserve of older generations — and turning it into a statement of identity, opening bigger business opportunities for fashion designers and sellers of the materials.

At the 8th edition of the Kitenge Fashion Festival in Eldoret, held last weekend, bold prints, eco-conscious designs, and tech-inspired fashion lit up the runway.

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