Lilian Motari, the founder and CEO of Kiki’s Mall. Photo/Courtesy
By Peter Changtoek
peter.changtoek@gmail.com
Lilian Motari is not your ordinary woman.
She is a jack of all trades. The holder of Master’s degree in Education, is a dynamic entrepreneur based in Mombasa, Kenya. She is the founder and CEO of Kiki’s Mall, a leading wholesale supplier of premium household goods across East Africa.
Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2013, when she opened her first school in Bamburi, Vescon.
Around the same time, she ventured into trade by selling second-hand clothing bales.
“As I studied the market and identified opportunities, I strategically transitioned into brand-new household goods such as bedsheets, duvets, duvet covers, and towels,” says Lilian.
In 2013, she imported her first furniture container from China, marking her entry into international trade. “By 2015, I expanded further into importing shoes, clothes, kitchenware, and other household essentials. What began as a small venture steadily evolved into a large-scale supply business serving multiple sectors,” she adds.
She says that Kiki’s Mall was officially established in 2013, built on a vision to provide quality household products at competitive wholesale prices.
“Kiki’s Mall specialises in supplying brand-new, high-quality household items across East Africa at wholesale prices. Our key clients include retail resellers, hotels and hospitality establishments, Airbnb and BnB hosts, hospitals, schools, individual bulk buyers. We are committed to quality, affordability, and reliability in supply,” says Lilian.
Vision and business growth
She says that the inspiration behind Kiki’s Mall came from a simple but powerful belief – everyone deserves quality sleep. “You cannot sleep well on poor-quality bedding. We identified a major gap in the Kenyan market; most bedsheets available locally contain a high percentage of polyester, rather than pure cotton. The same issue applied to towels. We saw the need for premium, durable, and comfortable products and decided to fill that gap. After all, every home deserves comfort, hygiene, and dignity through quality essentials.”
“My inspiration came from a deep desire for independence, impact, and sustainability. I wanted to build something meaningful – not only for myself, but also to create opportunities for others. Entrepreneurship gave me the platform to combine vision, resilience, and service to the community,” says Lilian.
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The entrepreneur says that entrepreneurship has been one of her greatest teachers. “You need resilience and energy every single day – business requires mental strength and stamina. The digital marketplace is powerful but risky; online scamming is real, so vigilance is essential. Understanding customer needs is critical – success comes from listening carefully. Market trends evolve quickly; staying informed and adaptable is key. Integrity and consistency build long-term trust and brand loyalty,” she says.
Nevertheless, there are some challenges that she has faced, that include online fraud and clients manipulating M-Pesa confirmation messages, cyberbullying and negative online attacks, delays in international shipments, fluctuating dollar exchange rates affecting import costs.
“However, each challenge strengthen my risk management skills and strategic planning,” says the entrepreneur.
Awards and market reach
Albeit her business is based in Mombasa, they supply goods across the entire East African region. Clients simply place orders, and they coordinate to ensure that the products are delivered efficiently to the clients.
“Our bedsheets are manufactured in Canada, ensuring high standards of fabric quality, durability, and finishing. Our clients include resellers, hotels and hospitality establishments, Airbnb/BnB hosts, walk-in customers, online customers, referral clients. We market actively on digital platforms and rely heavily on customer referrals – a testament to trust in our brand,” says the entrepreneur.
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Kiki’s Mall offers a diverse range, including mix-and-match sets, white striped hotel-quality sheets, printed bedsheets, fitted bedsheets, premium cotton collections. “Our variety allows clients to cater to different market segments,” she adds.
She has been nominated for some awards for her outstanding performance in entrepreneurship. “I was honored with the Best Female Entrepreneur Award – East Africa, presented in Tanzania, recognising my contribution to regional trade and entrepreneurship. I am currently nominated under the Coastal Timiza Awards in three categories: Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Outstanding Entrepreneur, BnB Host of the Year. Additionally, I have been nominated under: Under 40 Above 40 Hospitality Excellence Category.”
“Clients can reach us through the following platforms: Facebook: Kiki’s Mall, Instagram: Kemunto Moraa, TikTok: Bedsheet Bales. Also, they can reach us on 0726 711 727. We are accessible, responsive, and ready to serve.”
For those who would like to vote for her can do so via the following link:
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