How a Mombasa family turned the kanga into the cloth that speaks
Origins in Mombasa
The story of the modern kanga cannot be told without the Kaderdina family of Mombasa, whose introduction of sayings in the 1920s gave the cloth its voice — a tradition they carry forward today with fresh designs and misemo that inspire and provoke reflection each week.
Kaderdina Hajee Essak Limited, better known as Mali Ya Abdulla, was founded in 1887 by Kaderdina Hajee Essak. Born in Mombasa in 1863 to Hajee Essak, a trader from Mandvi, India, he grew up in the bustling port town where Indian Ocean cultures and trade converged. The business first opened its doors in Old Town before moving in 1907 to Biashara Street, where it continues to operate today.
A Family Affair
From the beginning, it was a family enterprise. Kaderdina’s sons, Abdullah (known as Abdulla) and Mohamedhusein, were both integral to the business. Abdulla began working alongside his father at just ten years old and remained involved until his retirement in 1978. His brother, Mohamedhusein, joined after their father’s passing in 1926.
Giving the Kanga Its Voice
In the 1920s, Abdulla and Mohamedhusein introduced an idea that would transform the kanga forever: the addition of sayings to the cloth. Their work was distinguished by the mark “K.H.E. – Mali Ya Abdulla.”
The first inscriptions appeared in Arabic script before shifting into Kiswahili in Roman letters by the late 1950s. With this simple yet profound innovation, the kanga gained its voice. No longer just a cloth, it became a medium — carrying blessings, love, humour, social commentary and even quiet resistance. As Director Muneeb Kaderdina emphasises, “The slogans are the most important part of the kanga.”
Five Generations of Legacy
Five generations of the Kaderdina family have carried the company forward. Since 2011, Muneeb Kaderdina has served as Director, with the wider family still deeply involved — including his nephew Imran Kaderdina, who leads the design team. Kaderdina Hajee Essak Limited is more than a business; it is a legacy passed down through the generations.
Innovation in Design
A household name across the region and beyond, the company continues to innovate by releasing new designs every week — typically four to five, each in five colourways and up to twelve during the peak season of Eid. As designs are never repeated, each fresh release brings something new.
Its team of designers, led by Imran Kaderdina, combines creative vision with a deep understanding of production. Each pattern is meticulously developed, reviewed and paired with a saying chosen to complement the artistry. Colour palettes are then thoughtfully selected to harmonise with both pattern and saying.
Beyond the Kanga
While best known for the iconic Mali Ya Abdulla line, the company also stocks many other textiles, including kikoys, pareos, mardoof, and traditional cottons such as kaniki and bafta. More recently, it has launched the Mali Ya Mwana line — a new range of kangas created to reach broader audiences while staying true to the family’s tradition of innovation and cultural expression.
A Living Legacy
Through every evolution, one truth remains: Mali Ya Abdulla is more than a shop or brand. It is a cultural institution that has shaped how the kanga is seen, worn and understood for generations.
More than a century after the mark “K.H.E. – Mali Ya Abdulla” first appeared, the company remains part of everyday life across East Africa. Its kangas are worn, gifted and cherished — carrying forward a legacy of creativity, community and storytelling woven into every thread.
A heartfelt thank you to Imran Kaderdina, who so generously shared the history of his family’s business, along with treasured photos of early Arabic-script designs and glimpses of the company as it thrives today.