Meet the Founder
A vision born from both passion and practicality takes shape every day—one sandal at a time. Akala 21, a venture rooted in creativity, sustainability, and a desire to make a difference, is revolutionizing the way we think about fashion, recycling, and climate action. At the heart of this initiative is a talented artisan who’s found a way to combine old, discarded car tyres with locally sourced leather to create a product that’s both stylish and eco-friendly.
Meet George, the artisan and founder behind Akala 21. A graduate of fashion design, George’s journey from the world of academia to entrepreneurship was fueled by a deep commitment to solving problems of waste, poverty, and climate change.
Akala21: The Sole
Each sandal produced by Akala 21 is a testament to the value of reimagining waste. Tyres are built to endure, and thus makes them the perfect foundation for something as essential as footwear. Plus, it's a material that's readily available and often thrown away.
The Akala 21 team work closely with casual laborers who collect old tyres from various sources, including garages, scrapyards, and even street corners where the tyres have been discarded. These tyres are cleaned, cut, and repurposed to create the soles of the sandals.
Fun fact: The inner part of the tyres is cut out for this use.
The process requires skill and creativity—The Akala 21 artisan team expertly shape and mold the rubber to form the perfect sole, ensuring comfort and durability.
The Shoe
The straps of each sandal are made from leather sourced from local tanneries such as Sagana, which is carefully selected to ensure both quality and ethical practices. The leather is treated using traditional methods, providing work for local artisans while supporting sustainable practices in the leather industry. By sourcing leather locally, Akala 21 helps sustain the local economy while cutting down on the carbon footprint that would be associated with importing leather from other countries.
The sandals themselves are a reflection of both practicality and fashion. Each pair, made with durable rubber soles and soft, natural leather straps, carries a rustic charm. The colors and textures vary, with some designs incorporating vibrant patterns that reflect African culture and traditions.
Sustainability and impact with Every Step or Recycled. Responsible. Remarkable
With deep connection to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12, which focuses on responsible consumption and production. By upcycling tyres, George is not only helping reduce waste but also contributing to a circular economy—one where resources are reused, repurposed, and recycled. The project also aligns with SDG 13, which addresses climate action. Every sandal produced at Akala 21 helps reduce the environmental impact associated with both tyres waste and leather production.
George’s mission goes beyond environmental sustainability. It’s also about creating employment opportunities and uplifting local communities. The team comprises of 12 -15 members with a mix of both male and female and 90% of the team being the young youth. The artisans who help create these sandals are trained and paid fairly for their work, with many of them coming from nearby neighborhood, Kibera where jobs can be scarce. By providing dignified work in a creative and sustainable industry, George is also supporting his community’s growth and stability.
Whether you're strolling down the streets of the city or exploring the countryside, Akala 21 sandals provide both comfort and style— with durable rubber soles and soft, natural leather straps, carrying a rustic charm, telling a powerful story of transformation.
A Game-Changing Partnership: Mawu Africa and Akala21
Akala21 has partnered with Mawu—an initiative dedicated to empowering artisans by giving them a global platform to showcase and sell their products, while sharing their stories beyond African borders. Through this partnership, George hopes to expand into new markets and continue pushing the boundaries of design and social impact.
Akala 21 is more than just a footwear brand. It’s a vision in motion—a vision that proves that style, sustainability, and social responsibility can walk hand in hand, leaving behind a positive footprint for future generations. Hoping to mentor and train more young people in the community offering an opportunity to young artistic people and job seekers.
