Flora Mutahi pioneered flavoured tea in Kenya and continues to shape the business industry.
Flora Mutahi is the founder and CEO of Melvin Marsh International Ltd, the company behind Melvins Teas, renowned for launching Kenya’s first flavoured tea brand. Her journey into the tea industry started in 1995, driven by the impending deregulation of Kenya’s tea sector, which opened the market to private companies. At the time, she had limited industry experience but recognised a potential niche and decided to pursue it.
Early career and the move to entrepreneurship
Before entering business, Mutahi briefly worked as an auditor while studying for professional accounting qualifications. However, she quickly realised she was more interested in entrepreneurship than a conventional corporate career. Encouraged by mentors and seeking independence, she left her job and studies to start her own business.
Her first product under the Melvin Marsh brand was free-flowing salt, designed with anti-caking additives to prevent clumping—an innovative idea in Kenya’s consumer market at the time. The concept of flavoured teas emerged later, inspired by her habit of adding ginger to her tea. Recognising the market gap, she launched a line of infused and flavoured teas, a product category that was virtually absent in Kenya then.
Building a brand in a competitive market
Since its inception, Melvin Marsh International has diversified its offerings to include a wide range of herbal and fruit infusions alongside its original flavoured teas. The company has grown steadily, employing over 120 staff and establishing distribution channels within Kenya and in select regional and international markets. Melvins Teas has gained a following, especially among consumers seeking alternatives to traditional black tea.
Leadership and impact
Beyond her business, Mutahi has held influential roles in Kenya’s private sector. She was the first woman to chair the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) from 2016 to 2018 and later served as chairperson of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) from 2021. She has also contributed to organisations such as the UN Global Compact (Kenya and global boards), SBM Bank Kenya, and the Kenya Anti-Counterfeit Agency, among others.
Her work also involves supporting women in business. She leads Women in Manufacturing (WIM) and founded the Melvins Mentorship Impact Programme, aimed at equipping female entrepreneurs in East Africa with practical business skills and industry-specific guidance.
Legacy in development
Starting with limited experience and resources, Flora Mutahi transformed Melvin Marsh International into a key player in Kenya’s tea industry by introducing flavoured teas and expanding into herbal and fruit infusions.
