Thika Beauticians and Barbers form Association for economic empowerment.

Officials of TBSA receive the certificate of registration from Eliud Makumi (member). From left is Eunice Mbuthia (Secretary), Humphrey Mbuthia (Secretary General), Kennedy Lumbasi (Chairman) and Benjamin Mungai (V. Chair.) 

Thika beauticians and barbers have formed an association whose primary objective is to help members to grow, expand and remain competitive in an increasingly complex and evolving market.

Speaking at a Thika hotel during their first meeting, Thika Barbers and Salons Association Chairman 

Kennedy Lumbasi said that the association also offered them a collective voice to tackle the challenges that they faced within their individual units as well as expose them to a variety of business opportunities and resources.

“We have been so disintegrated and disenfranchised to a point that most of our colleagues end up closing shop due to various challenges. By coming together, we ease the burden by fighting common challenges that keep on killing our businesses,” explained Lumbasi who is the proprietor of Kenz Cutz Hair Clinic in Makongeni Thika.

Chairman Kennedy Lumbasi making his maiden speech.

Lumbasi added that one of their agenda was to pool together resources in order to assist the association buy goods in bulks and resell them to members at subsidised prices. This way, they will be able to furnish their businesses with the requisite equipment at very low costs.

He noted that one of the main reasons salons and barber shops were failing was as a results of poor managerial skills among their proprietors. To address this anomaly, Lumbasi said that they had scheduled a series of seminars and workshops for capacity building among its membership.

A section of the membership that attending their first official general meeting.

His sentiments were echoed by Secretary General Humphrey Njenga who said that other than supporting members grow financially, the group was also working to protect the public by ensuring that their members upheld and maintained the professional health and safety standards and policies of the barbering industry.

“Due to the services that we offer, barbers and beauticians are among the most respected people. It is our firm belief that our contribution in this industry will raise and maintain the standards of the beauty industry not only in Thika, but also countrywide,” said Njenga who is the proprietor of Thika Hair Art Masters.

“We are optimistic that we will grow very fast and meet our goals. Membership to our association is open to individual beauticians and barbers in Thika and beyond,’’ Njenga concluded.