Cherie Kihato Biography & Profile

Cherie Kihato Journey & Savannah Space Story

Early Life & Education

Cherie Kihato was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. After completing her university education abroad, she returned to Kenya and began her career in development work as an intern. However, when a full-time position did not materialize, she found herself at a crossroads.

It was during this period of uncertainty, while journaling and praying, that she heard what she describes as a “quiet voice” from God telling her: “You’re going to start a furniture business, it’s going to be made in Kenya, and you’re going to call it Savannah Space.”

Despite having no background in furniture or design, and with only KSh 20,000 in savings, Cherie took a leap of faith and launched Savannah Space in 2018. She started by hosting fairs where informal sector artisans could sell their items, discovering there was indeed a market for made-in-Kenya home pieces.

Savannah Space Business Empire

1. Business Model & Growth

Savannah Space is an online marketplace and physical showroom that sources furniture and home décor from locally-based Nairobi artisans. The company works with 15 local artisan companies including mkeka (decorative mat) weavers, soapstone carvers, seagrass basket weavers, woodworkers, welders, and rug weavers.

The business has grown from pop-up markets to a permanent showroom at Lavington Mall in Nairobi, with two online catalogs featuring handsomely woven rugs and elegantly crafted furniture.

2. Sinapis Business Competition Victory (2019)

In 2019, Cherie enrolled in the Sinapis Entrepreneur Academy, a four-month MBA alternative for entrepreneurs. She competed in and won the 2019 Sinapis Business Competition, receiving a USD $10,000 prize to invest in her business. This victory provided crucial early funding and validation for her business model.

3. Kua Ventures Investment (2024)

In February 2024, Kua Ventures invested KSh 15 million in Savannah Space, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth trajectory. This investment has helped scale operations and expand market reach.

4. TikTok Global Discover List 2026

In February 2026, Cherie was named one of only 50 creators worldwide on TikTok’s Global Discover List, and one of just 10 in the “Originators” category. This recognition celebrates entrepreneurs who use TikTok’s commerce features to build businesses and demonstrate that authentic storytelling can replace traditional advertising.

Cherie stated: “It means that my message that Africans and African brands should be highlighted and respected is being noticed. This is such an honour as it’s so important for us as Africans to showcase the incredible things that are coming out of our continent.”

5. Social Media & Digital Strategy

Cherie has leveraged social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok, to showcase her products and build her brand. She notes: “Social media has been a game changer for us. It allowed me to reach a wider audience without needing a huge marketing budget.”

6. Payment Innovation

Savannah Space was an early adopter of digital payments, partnering with Pesapal for POS terminals and online invoicing. This has enabled seamless transactions both in-store and for international clients, building trust and expanding global clientele.

Impact on Kenyan Artisans & Community

Cherie’s favorite part of the business is seeing people’s lives changed through economic empowerment:

• Workshop Expansion: One vendor has expanded his workshop twice because of working with Savannah Space, growing from one employee to ten.
• Pandemic Support: During the worst period of the COVID-19 pandemic, all rug-weaving orders for women artisans came from Savannah Space, ensuring they could feed their families.
• Job Creation: Last year alone, the business sustained 41 jobs and created 49 new ones. With every job in Kenya supporting an estimated five people, Savannah Space impacts hundreds of lives.
• Women Empowerment: The women who weave rugs have expressed gratitude to Savannah Space for keeping them working through challenging economic times.

Cherie operates her business with strong Christian faith principles, believing that actions speak louder than words in demonstrating God’s love through fair treatment of artisans and customers.

Breaking Barriers in Male-Dominated Industry

The furniture and home décor space in Kenya has traditionally been seen as men’s territory, with most workshops run by male carpenters and designers. Cherie has been determined to break this mold.

She started small, working with a local carpenter in her community to design and manufacture unique, handcrafted furniture. Despite initial skepticism she faced as a woman in the industry, her passion, creativity, and commitment quickly shone through.

Today, Savannah Space is not just a furniture brand but a community of home décor enthusiasts who appreciate locally-made, high-quality products. Cherie’s success has inspired other women entrepreneurs to enter traditionally male-dominated sectors.

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