Kitengela Hot Glass

I walked into Kitengela Hot Glass expecting a tidy artisan shop. What hit me instead was a riot of colour and heat: molten rivers of recycled glass, a chorus of hammers and sparks, and the kind of creative chaos that only grows where people have been doing something for decades. The studio sits on the Athi-Kapiti plains, just off the Nairobi edge, and it feels both wild and purposeful, a glass village that turns throwaways into chandeliers, beads, and sculpture. 

what it’s known for

Fire, recycling, and playful public art. Kitengela is famous for turning scrap glass into beautiful, functional art, from beads and bowls to large architectural panels and quirky animal sculptures scattered across the compound. There’s an ethic here: nothing is wasted. 

What to do

I did three things when I visited:

1. Watch continuous glassblowing. The studio runs live glassblowing sessions most days; the sight of a gather of molten glass glowing orange is worth the drive itself. The studio opens daily with set hours for demonstrations; check times before you go.

2. Book a ‘Blown to Life’ bench session. I took a 30-minute beginner workshop where an expert guided me as I shaped a small vessel. It’s wild, satisfying, and genuinely educational — you pay for bench/trainer time and the chance to make something you can take home (with a day for annealing). Expect to share space and heat with other learners.

3. Wander the KitenGallery & grounds. Sculptures, dalle de verre panels, and improvisational architecture make excellent photos, and the gallery gives context to the studio’s range. Buy a bead necklace or a lamp, and you’re literally taking a recycled story home. 

Special features

• 100% recycled ethos: everything is made from reclaimed glass — that’s both aesthetic and political. 

• Hands-on experiences: they run public bench sessions and have clear booking channels (call/WhatsApp to confirm slots). Be prepared: molten glass is fragile; items can break, and the studio warns about that. 

• Artist legacy: Kitengela grew from an artist community founded decades ago and remains a living creative experiment — part art commune, part working studio. A recent feature in Le Monde captured its unique legacy.

What kind of vybe does it suits

• Creative day trips from Nairobi (2–5 hours)

• Date experiences (make an object together)

• Family outings — kids love the spectacle (but watch the safety rules)

• Design and architecture lovers who want a studio visit rather than a shop

Practical tips

• Book ahead: bench slots are limited; call or WhatsApp the studio to confirm. The experience pages give details and contact numbers.

• Opening hours: the studio operates daily with public hours (check current times on their site or TripAdvisor before travel). 

• Wear closed shoes and natural fibres for bench sessions — molten glass and kilns are unforgiving.

• Annealing time: pieces have to cool — you typically collect the next day or have items delivered to Nairobi malls. The studio will explain collection/delivery options.