Kenya Sweets Limited (KSL) has for the last 80 years supplied sweetness to Kenyans with its diverse brands of candies.
Founded in 1943, the company stands as one of the oldest firms in Kenya not only in the confectionery market but also the entire manufacturing sector.
Yet, its flagship brands- the Tropical mints and KSL sweets- have remained consistent, making them iconic brands that almost every generation in the past and present recognizes.
This article delves into the history of the KSL brand and how its products have maintained an elevated status in the market to date.
The company is owned by the Shah family and is currently under the management of the founder’s grandsons.
Its journey to becoming a giant sweet manufacturer started in Nairobi’s Ruaraka area under the stewardship of its founder Zaverchand K Shah.
Shah worked closely with his relatives in the colonial era, driving innovations that led to the birth of the Tropical mints in 1954- among other recognized brands.
Right from its onset, the company realized significant success and took on an illustrious path to establish itself as a leading manufacturer.
In doing so, KSL built a reputation as a manufacturer of a wide range of confectionery products and saw high demand of its sweets both locally and even outside Kenya.
Over the years of its existence, KSL has manufactured all products including hard boiled candy, lollipops, bubblegum, processed sugars and compressed tablets.
The company has now been passed over to two generations who have all worked to maintain the standards identified with their predecessors.
KSL passed over to the family’s third generation
Preeyesh Shah, a production engineering graduate from Bristol, in the United Kingdom and a grandson of the founder is the current director of the Kenya Sweets Limited and has been in charge of the company’s operations alongside some of his close kins.
Despite being a graduate and a member of the Shah family, Preeyesh started his journey at the family-owned company in junior roles before climbing his way up to become the CEO.
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He first worked as a mechanic for 20 years where he helped in repairing and servicing the machinery used in the manufacturing process.
At the time, Preeyesh and his cousins would work in various departments depending on their availability and need at hand.
When he assumed leadership at the company, Preeyesh retained his brother Nikunj Shah and cousins who helped him in several roles including sales and marketing.
But with an evolving landscape that favored a shift to digital ways of governance, KSL sought the services of a consultancy firm which brought in fresh energy in its management.
Kenya Sweets Limited exports 40% of its products to the East African Community (EAC) region, with tropical mints forming a giant share of its exports.
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Why KSL tropical has remained popular
The Tropical Mint is highly favored in the Kenyan market which is attributable to the range of purposes it serves. It is made from a mint that is scientifically known as, Menthe that has been used for hundreds of years for its remarkable medicinal properties.
Beside freshening the breath, KSL mint is also a great appetizer or palate cleanser, and it promotes digestion and soothes stomachs in cases of indigestion or inflammation.
According to information provided by the company, today’s’ Tropical Mint uses exactly the same secret formulation and ingredients as it did when it was first launched.
Consequently, the mint that is usually green in color has always retailed at a relatively higher price that its competitors in the hard sweets categories.
