KITENGELA GLASS

KITENGELA GLASS: A legacy forged in Fire and Passion.

Creative Founder: ANSELM CROZE

On the sun-drenched outskirts of Nairobi, past a winding dusty track and just beside a game reserve, you’ll find a place unlike anywhere else – Kitengela Glass is more than a studio, it’s a vibrant testament to the power of creativity, perseverance, and community. Founded by German muralist Nani Croze and her Kenyan son Anselm… this award-winning hot glass studio has grown from humble beginnings into one of East Africa’s most innovative artisan hubs.

Kitengela Glass.

It doesn’t look like a factory or a shop, or even a studio in the traditional sense. Instead, it feels like a dream village — a mosaic of light, colour, and creativity built entirely from broken glass, boundless imagination, and fearless purpose.

Here, windows from demolished buildings are reborn as chandeliers. Old wine bottles become sculptural tumblers. And walking through the grounds is like stepping inside a kaleidoscope — if that kaleidoscope also had goats, swinging bridges, and local artisans smiling as they shape molten glass into magic.

But none of this came easily. Behind the whimsy lies a story of grit: a family’s refusal to accept limits and their extraordinary success in turning waste into beauty, and struggle into opportunity.

⚒️ Humble Beginnings of a Creative Founder: Transforming Waste into Wonder

Nani Croze arrived in Kenya in 1970, initially working as an illustrator and muralist and facing the exciting yet daunting challenges of her new environment. The urgency for a sustained livelihood became a paramount need, eventually transitioning into an opportunity in waiting. Opting for stained glass craft proved expensive, especially with the cost of imported glass at the time; however, where others saw obstacles, she saw an opportunity.💡

In a show of determination and a disposition for continuous learning, her son Anselm mastered craft techniques, learned from mentors, eventually building his very own furnace—with the help of a Finnish glassmaker. His vision refocused on sustainable sources, such as recycled bottles and window panes, resulting in the first locally-made stained glass in East Africa.🤩

From jewel-toned tumblers to towering stained-glass panels, the final creations from Kitengela Glass are nothing short of spellbinding. Each piece tells a story — not only of colour and craftsmanship, but of rebirth. Blown glass goblets shimmer with subtle ripples and air bubbles, proud reminders that they were once discarded bottles. Mosaic tabletops dance with wild patterns and recycled charm, while dalle de verre panels glow with thick slabs of coloured glass, offering sacred light to churches, homes, and public spaces. Whether it’s a delicate wind-chime catching sunlight in a quiet garden, or a chandelier illuminating a grand hotel lobby, every object carries the unmistakable warmth of something handmade — something loved.

Kitengela’s product range is as diverse as it is imaginative. You’ll find drinking glasses with bold rims and organic curves, perfect for everyday joy. There are sculptural lanterns made for starlit evenings, jewellery crafted from glass beads and recycled brass, and mirrors framed with mosaic bursts that seem to sing. For outdoor spaces, there are garden totems, animal sculptures, and sun-catchers that sway gently in the breeze — playful yet poetic. No two items are the same, and that’s the beauty of it: each one is a small, luminous triumph of creativity over waste.

🎉 From Survival to Success: A Rising Beacon

Over the decades, Kitengela Glass has grown steadily into a renowned studio, socio-economic hub and regional beacon employing a cohort of artisans each mastering glassblowing, bead-making, mosaic, dalle de verre, wrought iron, their own discipline – funky fencing (a kind of afro-tiffany) and more.

Their prominent products can be found playing key roles in the aesthetic furnishings of a variety of both private and publicly commissioned civic spaces, including hotels, churches, homes, and public installations across Kenya and the rest of the world. Beyond product success, Kitengela Glass has become a valued tourist destination hosting scheduled studio tours, in-person glass-making experiences, and even crossing the iconic glass bridge over the riverine gorge. The brand shines as both a business and an unforgettable cultural experience.

🌟 Passion at the Core: Celebrating the Craft

Anselm Croze remains the beating heart of Kitengela Glass. Now in her late 60s, she still drives innovation while mentoring the next generation—including her son, Anselm—who carries forward the legacy. Her unyielding philosophy shines through studio manager Kym, who reflects:

Today, Anselm Croze stands as the living pulse of Kitengela Glass. In early 2023, his mother Nani—now in her early eighties—entrusted him with the reins of her cherished ‘wonderland’ when she could no longer manage it herself. Anselm now carries forward the Kitengela Glass legacy, supported by a team of 100 employees. Anselm has made it his mission to grow the impact of their entrepreneurial creativity, as well as preserve his mother’s legacy, through the Kitengallery, which has recently been renovated.

Anselm’s unyielding philosophy has also been adopted by his studio manager, Kym, who reflects:

“Follow your dreams. Do what you love — that’s true success. Just go for it. Don’t fear mistakes”.
It is this commitment—building a craft from scrap, training artisans, and uplifting the local creative ecosystem—that makes Kitengela Glass a beacon of social impact and creative excellence.

✨ Final Thoughts

Kitengela Glass proves that passion, resilience, and eco-conscious innovation can carve out real success and transform lives. In celebrating founder Nani Croze’s vision, we recognise the extraordinary impact one family can have in revitalising craft, nurturing community, and creating beauty from brokenness.

Visit, support, and be part of a creative legacy that glimmers with hope—and glass.

🔔 Join the Story

Kitengela Glass is more than a studio. It’s a movement. A place where sustainability meets spirit, where heritage meets innovation, and where every flame carries forward a legacy.

Become more than just an audience… become part of the movement 🚀