Flora Mutahi
Flora Mutahi is the founder and CEO of Melvin Marsh International, the pioneering company behind Melvin’s Teas, which introduced flavored tea to Kenya and has grown into the country’s largest exporter of value‑added black tea to regional and global markets. Since 1996, she has built Melvin’s into a household name while championing value addition and fair trade practices that benefit smallholder tea farmers.
She has consistently broken barriers in leadership. Flora was the first woman to chair both the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (2016–2018) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (2021–2023), where she spearheaded policies promoting industrial growth and private sector inclusion. She also serves on the UN Global Compact board and holds non‑executive roles with Old Mutual Kenya and SBM Bank Kenya.
Her advocacy for value addition in Kenya’s tea industry has made her a prominent voice on international platforms, including International Tea Day forums. In recognition of her leadership, Flora has been listed among Forbes “50 Over 50 Global,” Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 alumni, and Kenya’s Top 60 Transformative CEOs.
Beyond business, Flora founded Azizi Realtors and the Melvins Mentorship Impact Programme, which nurtures women entrepreneurs across Africa. She embodies resilience, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable African enterprise.