Flora Mutahi

Flora Mutahi is the Founder and CEO Melvin Marsh International, Chair Kenya Association of Manufacturers (2016 to July 2018), Vice Chair COMESA Business Council, Patron Women in Manufacturing, Head of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (July 2018 to date), Member of Board the United Nations Global Compact, Director Export Promotion Council Kenya, Director Azizi Realtors Limited, Director Jubilee Insurance Company          (Kenya)

Flora holds a BSC (specializations in business, accounts, and finance) from the United State International University, UK and an Executive MBA from University of Cape Town. Like most people in their early ages, Flora had a hard time picking the ideal career path for her. But, she could not hide her interests in the business world. During a past interview, Flora stated that her passion for entrepreneurship began at a tender age. In between her school holiday breaks, Flora would buy clothes from abroad and sell them to her friends and families back home. 

Given that most people did not see entrepreneurship as the perfect career choice at the time, Flora decided to go into the world of accounting. As such she enrolled for an accounting course at Strathmore Business School. While studying, Flora landed a job at an auditing firm. In her position, she dealt with manufacturing firms and developed an interest in the sector. While Flora had found a new passion, her career path seemed to be taking a hit. Flora soon realized that she did not like accounting as much as she thought she would. She had been skipping the accounting classes. 

According to an exclusive interview she did with Parents Magazine Africa, it took the advice of James Mcfee, the director at Strathmore University’s School of Accountancy, for her to evaluate her choices. After careful thought, Flora decided it was time to take another path. 

Flora left her job to join the business world. Speaking during a Centonomy conference, Flora states that her decision did not initially sit well with her parents. Determined to show her commitment to the new path, Flora began working on an idea for a business. At the time, she noticed a need in the Kenyan market (non-sticky salt). But, her primary challenge was finding capital for the new business. After securing a loan, Flora set the ground running.

After realizing that the salt business did not fetch as much money as she expected, Flora decided to diversify her business. As she was brainstorming about ideas, Flora heard about the lift of the tea monopoly in Kenya. She decided to venture into the tea despite her struggle with finding adequate capital. At the time, KETEPA dominated the Kenyan market. But, this did not deter Flora as she set up her company, Melvins Tea. 

Flora used her own experiences to innovate. An avid tea drinker, Flora would often add ginger to her tea to add flavor. So, she decided to introduce flavored tea into the Kenya market. Melvin Tea rolled out two products; Melvin Premium Tea and ginger tea. Flora pitched her ideas to various retailers. Her big break came after a popular supermarket chain at the time gave Flora a bulk order. As time went by, Flora learned the ropes of the tea business. Currently, the product offerings of Melvins Tea include flavored tea (Tangawizi, Masala Chai, Cool Cardamom, Lemon Twist, Very Vanilla, Sweet Cinamon), black and green tea, and herbal and fruit infusions. In 2015, Flora decided to take on a new challenge aimed at changing the social perceptions on tea. According to Flora, tea should not be a home only drink. For this reason, she set up Melvin’s Tea House a café that allows you to enjoy various flavors of tea. 

Currently, Flora serves as the CEO of Melvins Tea. As her business continues to grow, Flora is conquering other aspects of her career life. 

In 2016, Flora became the inaugural woman to serve as the chairperson of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. Before her appointment, she was the vice chairperson of the KAM. Flora also assumed the position of Vice Chairperson COMESA Business Council in 2016. Two years later, Flora joined the board of the United Nations Global Compact a body that focuses on encouraging business to incorporate sustainable and socially-conscious policies. In July, President Uhuru appointed her as the head of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency. Flora also sits on the boards of the Export Promotion Council Kenya, Azizi Realtors Limited, and Jubilee Insurance Company (Kenya). 

As the patron of the Women in Manufacturing, Flora hopes to increase the involvement of women in the field of manufacturing through networking and manufacturing. She is also a seasoned speaker on subjects such as strategic leadership, marketing, and business development. She has featured as a guest speaker on Centonomy, and the Keroche Foundation. 


Flora comes from a family of accomplished entrepreneurs; her mum operated a secretarial bureau for twenty years while her dad was a banker. As they say, the fruit does not fall far from the tree. In an interview with Parents Magazine, Flora Mutahi narrates that most of her conversations with her parents centered around business ideas. 

Flora Mutahi has been a vocal champion of the fight against counterfeit and illicit trade. As the new head of the Anti-counterfeit Agency Kenyans hope that she will continue the fight and help push for quality goods. Sachen Gudka replaces Flora as the Kenya Association of Manufacturers chairperson. 

what began as an “unlikely” decision became the best choice for her. Despite the ups and down in the initial stages, she has managed to achieve various milestones. As an entrepreneur, Flora advises others to invest in their area of specialization, take risks, fail fast, read, and to always show up.