When Mercy Akoth moved to Canada nearly three years ago, she quickly discovered that setting up a home away from Kenya came with unexpected costs, particularly when it came to decorating her living space.
Mercy, who works as a caregiver while pursuing a master’s degree in nursing at McGill University, has had to move house several times to accommodate her work and studies. Although her residences have not been far from the university, each move has meant finding ways to make her space comfortable and homely.
One of the first things she noticed was the difference in curtain options between Kenya and Canada. In Nairobi, curtains were readily available in countless designs, colours and fabrics. In Canada, however, she found the variety limited and the prices steep.
Outfitting a one-bedroom apartment could cost about $37 (Sh4,800) per metre, prompting her to look back home for solutions.
“I realised Kenya has a wider variety of curtains in different designs than what I was finding here. When I came back for the holidays last December, I decided to buy them from Kenya instead,” she says. “I travelled with them in my suitcase, but the airline charges were high.”
She paid about Sh9,800 in airline baggage fees to transport the 7-kilogram package of curtains.
Her experience reflects a growing trend among Kenyans in the diaspora who are turning to local retailers for home décor products.
Curtain sellers in Nairobi say overseas clients from Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom are becoming a steady part of their business.
Retailers attribute the appeal to variety, affordability and the ability for customers to choose fabrics and designs before the curtains are stitched and shipped. Kenya has also become a destination for buyers from other African countries, including Ghana and South Africa.
Most curtain fabrics are imported, primarily from China, and then customised locally to suit customers’ preferences.
At Dream Curtains on Tom Mboya Street, Head of Sales Dan Khaemba says diaspora clients have been a key market since he joined the business in 2023.
‘The clients we serve come from different countries. We recently delivered curtains to a Kenyan living in Australia, but we also have many clients in the United States,’ he says. The shop serves between three and five diaspora clients each month.
Social media has been central to this growth. Online platforms allow customers to browse designs, select materials and communicate directly with sellers before making payments. Still, building trust takes time.
‘Not everyone believes in online business. Some people send someone to confirm that we are genuine. Once they do, they become serious buyers,’ Khaemba explains.
Curtain demand also follows seasonal trends, with sales peaking between October and January. For diaspora clients, purchases often rise during winter, when people focus on making their homes warmer and more inviting.
Unlike local buyers, who often bargain, diaspora clients tend to prioritise quality and transparency. Payments are made through bank transfers or mobile money, with prices ranging from Sh350 to Sh1,800 per metre, depending on the material. Blackout curtains are particularly popular.
At Najibu Curtains, sales representative Mugoya Shakur says most of their overseas customers come from the United States and Canada.
‘The prices here are far more affordable than in those countries,’ he says. Curtains range from Sh350 to Sh2,000 per metre, serving both homes and businesses. Yet shipping can nearly double the overall cost. A client may buy curtains worth Sh300,000, but transport costs can add another Sh200,000.
Despite this, referrals continue to drive growth.
‘Most of the clients who purchase from us are referred by other Kenyans in the diaspora. If you do a good job, people will trust you,’ Shakur says.
Some clients combine curtain purchases with other Kenyan products, such as home décor items and African clothing, including vitenge, to maximise shipping.
At Suli Home Curtains, manager Lugendo Swaib says orders come from the UK, the US, Canada and African countries such as South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.
‘They prefer curtains from Kenya because we offer a wide variety of colours and designs, as well as high-quality products,’ he says.
Unlike local buyers, who often shop seasonally, diaspora clients purchase throughout the year, often driven by new homes, construction projects or business ventures. Swaib says the shop receives at least 10 diaspora clients every month.
‘As long as you advertise well, you will always find clients purchasing curtains,’ he adds.
Some buyers even purchase in bulk to resell abroad, with prices typically ranging from Sh700 to Sh900 per metre.
Kenyan retailers say their competitive edge lies in customisation. Customers choose the material, which is then stitched, packaged and shipped. Depending on whether the order is sent by air or sea, delivery takes between seven and 21 days.
For many in the diaspora, curtains are more than functional household items. They are cultural touchstones, reminders of home and symbols of identity. The colours, textures and designs often evoke memories of Kenyan households, where curtains play a central role in interior décor.
Mercy recalls how the curtains in her childhood home were carefully chosen to match the furniture and wall colours.
‘In Kenya, curtains are part of the personality of a house. They make a home feel complete,’ she says.
Abroad, she found that curtains were often plain, functional and expensive, lacking the vibrancy she associated with home.
Retailers are keenly aware of this emotional connection. By giving diaspora clients the opportunity to select fabrics that resonate with their tastes, they are not just selling curtains but exporting pieces of Kenyan culture.
The business opportunity is significant. With more Kenyans moving abroad for work and study, demand for affordable, customised home décor is expected to grow. Retailers are already exploring partnerships with shipping companies to reduce costs and streamline delivery.
For now, the challenge remains balancing affordability with logistics. Shipping costs can sometimes outweigh the savings of buying curtains in Kenya. Yet many diaspora clients are willing to pay the extra cost for quality and familiarity.
As Mercy puts it, ‘It is not just about the curtains. It is about feeling at home, even when you are far away.’