An online store based in Rwanda called Kasha has launched its second branch in Kenya. Kasha’s platform helps women shop beauty and health products via the website, mobile app or USSD technology.
The launch in Kenya follows last year’s milestone where it received a $100,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It had also previously raised $1.5 million from angel investors and venture capitalists. Officials say they are targeting a pan-African expansion, according to TechMoran.
The two-year-old company has so far, according to reports, delivered over 5,000 orders on top of winning a SeedStars Competition in Uganda in 2017.
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Some of the most selling products on the platform include sanitary pads, health and hygiene soaps, and emergency contraceptives.
“We are excited to serve women in Kenya. Kenya has massive potential due to fast internet speeds and wide access in the market,” said Joanna Bichsel, Kasha’s CEO and Co-Founder, according to TechMoran.
“This has seen the rise of e-commerce companies in the recent past. We are happy to serve all women including those without smartphones or internet, to easy access to personal, beauty and healthcare products via USSD technology.”
According to Bichsel, one of the key elements they emphasize on the platform is privacy.
“Confidentiality is a key factor for us in driving our business. We sell stigmatized products such as menstrual care products, contraceptives, pregnancy tests, and HIV Self-Test Kits as well so we make sure that orders and delivery are made discreetly.”
Kasha is also a social impact company empowering women by hiring them as agents. As agents, they help Kasha to fulfill orders in rural and low-income areas. They also run a blog on the website where they dole out advise on health to women.
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