Men
Is it a bicycle, a balance bike or perhaps a motorbike? We’re not sure, but we thought BAISIKELI (bicycle in Kiswahili) was the loveliest name for this little work of art, the original drawing of which, dating from 2018, measures just under 2 cm. The drawing was created following a school trip organised by the ‘Songa Mbele Na Masomo’ Children’s Centre to Nairobi’s most beautiful urban forest – the Karura Forest. After the trip, the pupils at this full-time residential centre for children with special needs drew what they had enjoyed most, and some of the children were clearly particularly fascinated by the bustling streets with their countless different modes of transport, such as buses, motorbikes and cars. Proceeds from the sale of this T-shirt and other designs created at the ‘Songa Mbele Na Masomo’ Children’s Centre were used to build a new wall around the school playground and construct paths that separate the centre from the neighbouring slum and make the playground accessible all year round, even for children in wheelchairs.
Is it a bicycle, a balance bike or perhaps a motorbike? We’re not sure, but we thought BAISIKELI (bicycle in Kiswahili) was the loveliest name for this little work of art, the original drawing of which, dating from 2018, measures just under 2 cm. The drawing was created following a school trip organised by the ‘Songa Mbele Na Masomo’ Children’s Centre to Nairobi’s most beautiful urban forest – the Karura Forest. After the trip, the pupils at this full-time residential centre for children with special needs drew what they had enjoyed most, and some of the children were clearly particularly fascinated by the bustling streets with their countless different modes of transport, such as buses, motorbikes and cars. Proceeds from the sale of this T-shirt and other designs created at the ‘Songa Mbele Na Masomo’ Children’s Centre were used to build a new wall around the school playground and construct paths that separate the centre from the neighbouring slum and make the playground accessible all year round, even for children in wheelchairs.
The little monkey NYANI leaps out of a fabric pouch made from traditional kitenge fabric, which stands in stark contrast to the T-shirt. The NYANI motif was first created back in 2014 during a natural history lesson at a school in Tanzania, whilst the animals of the Serengeti were being discussed. This motif is a permanent feature of our collection, even though the design of the breast pocket changes from time to time.
A true classic amongst our designs is our ELEPANT – let us correct that: ELEPHANT. The spelling mistake that crept into this lovely design from 2011 was carried over directly onto the T-shirt and remains one of our most popular designs to this day. Thanks to this design (alongside others), school fees have been paid, a new kitchen block has been built and a computer room has been set up in Arusha, Tanzania, over the last few years.
The little monkey NYANI leaps out of a fabric pouch made from traditional kitenge fabric, which stands in stark contrast to the T-shirt. The NYANI motif was first created back in 2014 during a natural history lesson at a school in Tanzania, whilst the animals of the Serengeti were being discussed. This motif is a permanent feature of our collection, even though the design of the breast pocket changes from time to time.
The drawing of KILIMANJARO, Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s highest free-standing mountain, was created in 2011 in Arusha, Tanzania. As part of a school lesson, the pupils drew pictures of their parents’ jobs. As the father of 11-year-old Benson works as a guide in Kilimanjaro National Park, this drawing was created. Through the sale of this and other T-shirts from the same period, a new kitchen block was built and a computer room was set up at a partner school in Arusha.
Our WATAMU design was created during a perfectly ordinary school day in Watamu, Kenya, one of Africa’s oldest marine protected areas. There, the local organisation ‘Bahari Hai’ (Swahili for ‘Living Ocean’) educates schoolchildren about marine conservation projects, such as the protection of sea turtles. It was during one such lesson that the drawing of a small sea turtle emerged – one that is just leaving its nest and making its way to the ocean. By purchasing this special T-shirt, you are supporting the vital work of our partner organisation, Bahari Hai, in protecting these remarkable animals.
The Serengeti is renowned for its diverse wildlife. Particularly in the early morning hours during the dry season, many different inhabitants of the savannah make their way to the waterhole and stand shoulder to shoulder, just like on our SERENGETI T-shirt. The designs were created from 2009 onwards at various schools in Tanzania and Kenya and thus represent a small ‘best of’ selection of our motifs.
Our WANYAMA (Kiswahili for ‘animals’) T-shirt features a host of different animal inhabitants of East Africa. Zebras stand peacefully, shoulder to shoulder with rhinos and lions. This works perfectly, as the animals have known each other for a very long time. All the drawings were created between 2009 and the present day at various schools in Tanzania and Kenya.
The little, colourful bird NDEGE is perched on a branch, wondering how on earth he ended up here. We’re happy to help, as we were there when the design was created. For years, we’ve shared a close friendship with the small sewing workshop NYUZI in Karai, near the Lusigetti region. It is here that NYUZI founder Sarah Ambai designs our T-shirt patterns. The NDEGE design came about whilst we were working on new children’s and baby products in 2024 and Sarah’s children were drawing pictures alongside some of the seamstresses’ children.
As this cat has such a wonderfully quirky look about it, we couldn’t get enough of it and printed it three times in different colours, slightly offset on top of one another. This creates a three-dimensional effect that really stands out on the Marsala-red T-shirt. The CAT design was created during a school lesson whilst discussing ‘Domestic Animals’ at a school in Nairobi, Kenya.
Our BABY-TURTLE design was created during a perfectly ordinary school day in Watamu, Kenya, one of Africa’s oldest marine protected areas. There, the local organisation ‘Bahari Hai’ (Swahili for ‘Living Ocean’) educates schoolchildren about marine species conservation projects, such as the protection of sea turtles. It was during one such lesson that the drawing of a small sea turtle just hatching from its nest was created. By purchasing this special T-shirt, you are supporting the vital work of our partner organisation, Bahari Hai, in protecting these remarkable animals.
Is it a river hippo, or perhaps more of a honey cake horse? Given the broad grin on our HIPPO’s face (Kiswahili for ‘Kiboko’), this question might well spring to mind, as this little creature looks like the complete opposite of one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. A real Happy Hippo, in other words!
BASIC Men’s T-shirt, White, with roll-up sleeves.Do you need a larger number of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as few as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import them every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com
BASIC Men’s T-shirt, dark green, with roll-up sleeves.Do you need a large number of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as little as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import them every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com
BASIC Men’s T-shirt, Black, with roll-up sleeves.Do you need a larger quantity of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as little as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import new stock every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com
In March 2023, we once again visited our friends at NYUZI at their sewing workshop in Karai, in the Lusigetti region of Kenya. The workshop employs young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who grew up in the neighbouring orphanage. We have a special connection to the orphanage, as our friend Francis spent his childhood and teenage years there. And as luck would have it, we discovered a truly special motif during our visit. When Francis showed us a picture of himself and his football team – which still hangs in his old dormitory – we noticed a small drawing next to the door. Francis can no longer remember which of his friends drew this on the dormitory wall a good 17 years ago. It depicts a former cook at the orphanage holding a portion of ugali. As some of the children were apparently not satisfied with ‘Chef Samy’s’ cooking skills, the drawing and colouring of the otherwise delicious maize porridge leave room for interpretation.
One of the rarest animals in Africa is the CRICODILE. Not to be confused with its (probably) closest relative, the crocodile. Don’t be fooled by its thick, cucumber-shaped body, because the CRICODILE is a nimble creature and will jump straight into your shopping basket in a flash!
BASIC Men’s T-shirt, Dark Grey, with roll-up sleeves.Do you need a large number of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as little as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import them every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com
BASIC Men’s T-shirt in Marsala with roll-up sleeves.Do you need a large number of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as little as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import them every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com
BASIC Men’s T-shirt, White, with roll-up sleeves, in a pack of 3.Do you need a larger quantity of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as little as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import them every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com
BASIC Men’s T-shirt in Zaragoza Blue with roll-up sleeves.Do you need a large number of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as little as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import them every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com
BASIC Men’s T-shirt in midnight blue with roll-up sleeves.Do you need a large number of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as little as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import new stock every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com
BASIC Men’s T-shirt, Black, with roll-up sleeves, in a pack of 3.Do you need a larger quantity of T-shirts for your project, club or company? Then please feel free to get in touch with us. We produce customised T-shirts in mixed sizes from as little as 30 pieces, manufactured directly in our sewing workshop in Kenya, and usually import them every 8–12 weeks. Contact: info@kipepeo-clothing-com