Flora Mutahi is the founder and CEO of Melvin Marsh International Ltd, the company behind Melvins Tea, Kenya’s first flavored tea brand.
Over nearly 30 years, she has guided Melvins from a disruptive local startup into a respected regional brand and now an international name.
Her current focus is on ensuring that Kenyan tea is beautifully packaged and proudly represented on global shelves.
With nearly three decades of experience in brand building, Flora has developed a strong passion for supporting entrepreneurs who aim to grow their businesses.
Through mentorship, board service, and her flagship program Scale Mastery, she helps African entrepreneurs overcome stagnation, gain strategic clarity, and scale their businesses using systems, strategy, and sustainable practices.
Flora Mutahi Career Background
Flora Mutahi is the Founder and CEO of Melvin Marsh International, a position she has held since May 1995.
She has also served as a Director at Azizi Realtors in the Lavington Green Shopping Center, overseeing commercial and residential property sales, letting, investment advisory, and valuations since January 2011.
Flora has been a Non-Executive Board Member at Old Mutual since April 2023.
From April 2018 to June 2024, she served as Chairperson of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) in Nairobi County.
She also served as a director at SBM Bank Kenya from May 2017 to June 2024 and on the UN Global Compact Board in New York from June 2018 to May 2024, with a focus on board governance.
Mutahi was the Chairperson of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority from June 2018 to July 2021, promoting a counterfeit-free Kenya.
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She served as Vice Chairlady of the COMESA Business Council in Lusaka, Zambia, from November 2016 to October 2018, where she led trade policy.
Additionally, Flora has also served as a Director at the Export Promotion Council of Kenya from October 2015 to September 2018.
At the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, she held multiple roles: Chairlady from July 2016 to July 2018, Vice Chairlady from July 2014 to July 2016, and Director for over four years.
Furthermore, she served as a Director at Jubilee Insurance Company Limited from June 2014 to July 2018.
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Education Background
Flora Mutahi earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Accounts and Finance from United States International University – UK.
She later completed an Executive Master’s degree at the University of Cape Town between 2008 and 2010.
Achievements
She has a debut book, ‘Brewed to Last’, which shares insights on scaling businesses.
Flora was recognized among the world’s most outstanding trailblazers in the 2025 edition of Forbes 50 Over 50.
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