Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has unveiled plans to transform its Tailoring Unit into a vibrant income-generating enterprise, marking a significant step towards strengthening the institution’s financial sustainability while providing students with practical entrepreneurial skills.
The initiative forms part of the university’s broader strategy to integrate academic learning with enterprise development by leveraging existing resources to create sustainable sources of income. Once operational at full capacity, the tailoring will produce a wide range of products, including academic gowns, staff uniforms, student attire, corporate wear, protective clothing, branded merchandise, and customized apparel for both the university community and external clients.
This was evident during the Marine cadets pass out parade where they got their uniforms perfectly made by the university’s tailoring unit. The 8-member team led by Mr. Samuel Karingithi is now evolving to become an income generating unit by targeting new students, graduates and other external clients.
While thanking the university management for their continued support, Mr. Karingithi noted that the move aligns with the institution’s vision of nurturing graduates who are not only academically competent but also innovative, entrepreneurial, and capable of creating employment opportunities. By commercializing the tailoring unit, students will gain invaluable hands-on experience in garment production, fashion design, quality assurance, customer relations, and business management.
“We are very happy with the support the administration is giving us. They have provided us with new model machines which include 5 industrial straight machines and a branding machine. The machines enable us to provide new students with protective uniforms needed in their studies like scrubs, overalls and dustcoats during admission. This will help us achieve our aim of becoming an income generating unit,” said Mr. Karingithi.
Beyond serving the university’s internal needs since 1992, the Tailoring Unit will now compete in the commercial market by offering quality tailoring and embroidery services to government agencies, schools, corporate organizations, and members of the public. This expansion is expected to create employment opportunities for graduates, support local supply chains, and foster stronger partnerships with industry.
“We are working to leverage our equipment and expertise to serve a wider market, to this end we are in the process of streamlining our billing and payment system to facilitate transactions,” noted Mr. Karingithi.
“The initiative also supports Kenya’s national agenda on industrialization, youth empowerment, and job creation by promoting value addition, local manufacturing, and entrepreneurship,” he added.
On behalf of the team, Ms. Zipporah Kieu, a tailor with 30 years’ worth of experience, assured the management and students of the durability of their products.
“The unit will serve as a living laboratory where students from fashion and design, business, marketing, procurement, and related disciplines can collaborate in product development, branding, sales and business operations. This multidisciplinary approach is expected to strengthen experiential learning while promoting innovation and creativity,” said Ms. Kieu. “When a student purchases our scrubs, overalls and dustcoats, they can be assured that they will complete their studies without needing to replace them. We make quality products that deliver value for money,” she added.
The team currently serving at the tailoring unit include Mary Chege, Zipporah Kieu. Gladys Nyapera, Mary Kimanthi, Peris Njambi, Mary Muthui and Winfred Mwatu each with an average tailoring experience of over 20 years.
