Muthokinju: How Couple Rose From Selling Food at Restaurant to Household Name

You might have come across a store with Muthokinju Paints and Cement Hardware, which has become well-known in the building sector, while you traveled across various regions of the nation.

The family business has branches in many locations, including Juja, Ngong, Rongai, Karatina, Kenol, Kasarani, Embu, Thika, Murang’a, Kitengela, and Kiambu Road, among others. 

Unknown to many, the inspiration for the business was from the experience of one of the founders, Susan Muthoni Kimani, who had set up a restaurant along Kenyatta Market. She, however, opted to close the business and venture into a business that did not involve the sale of perishable goods

“They did not want to run a business selling perishable goods which would go to waste, as they had seen enough of that with the restaurant, so they opted for a hardware store.

“Two decades and a half later, they are glad they made the switch that would see the restaurant, Mama Safi, fold, and Muthokinju become their next venture,” an article by a telco dated December 17, 2022, detailed. 

In 1995, Muthoni and Barnabas Njuguna established a Hardware and paint store along Kasarani, Nairobi. 

Muthonkinju was an amalgamation of Muthoni, Njuguna and Kimani (their son’s name). 

Rise 

The company began gaining traction, and plans were implemented to expand nationwide. In 2004, Muthokinju got incorporated as a Limited Company – this refers to a legal structure that limits the amount of liability undertaken by the company’s shareholders. 

Seven years later, Benjamin Kimani, the founders’ only heir, took over the reins of the family business aged 24. Tasked with steering Muthokinju to success through expansion strategies and market penetration.

In a previous interview with Business Daily, Kimani stated that protecting the company’s reputation has proven to be both fruitful and difficult at the same time.

“I took over a business that already had a good name. I give credit to my parents for building goodwill. I have been able to amplify their values by playing in a bigger space than they did,” Kimani stated. 

At the time, he thought of overhauling the business model by changing the name – an idea that he deserted owing to the dominating presence established by his parents. 

Over the years, Kimani has led the company to success, with over 17 branches nationwide. 

“I’m very agile. We’re leaving in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) business world that requires us to have strong values. If you threw me anywhere, I’d find a way to adapt,” he stated.