STORY: China's hair products gain popularity in Kenya
DATELINE: June 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:39
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): RUTH WANGARA, Xinhua reporter
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): OGINGA AYUMA, Founder of Ketrays Lush Wigs
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANNE KAGO, Houz of Kweenz Salon
4. various of beauty salons

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): RUTH WANGARA, Xinhua reporter
"The hair and beauty industry is a multi-billion-dollar market that attracts women and even in this modern day age, men from all walks of life, that will go through great strides to look good. I am in one of the leading salons in Nairobi, the Kenyan city, where we are going to be seeing how hair enhances the beauty of a woman."

Oginga Ayuma, the founder of a high-end beauty salon in Nairobi, said that there has been a steady increase in demand for Chinese products over the years.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): OGINGA AYUMA, Founder of Ketrays Lush Wigs
"We basically deal in human hair extensions and human hair wigs and most of our wigs are from Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. In the Kenyan market, Chinese wigs are popular maybe because of their price point. What we do here is that clients come in with their wigs and we install for them, so we offer that service of installation. A lot of clients prefer Chinese wigs."

Anne Kago imports wigs from China and other places. She has been doing the business for the last five years.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANNE KAGO, Houz of Kweenz Salon
"We source our hair from different locations. The first source is China, very popular in Kenya. Most vendors actually sell Chinese hair. The price point is cheaper, and it's easier for you to make huger markups. And also, the shipping time is usually shorter. And the Chinese also have very good hair."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)