Our Story
Ohana means family. It’s not just a name - it’s a promise.
Every person who wears our pieces becomes part of something bigger: a community that is proud of its roots, confident in its identity, and bold in expression.
a promise, a community, and a movement
For too long, there has been a myth that Africans don’t swim.
We reject that.
Swimming is a life skill. A form of freedom. A space where confidence begins.
But access matters — and what you wear can determine whether you step into the water at all.
Ohana exists to change that. To remove barriers. To build confidence.To celebrate Africans in swimming and sport.
One piece. One person. One family at a time.
Our Mission
To ensure Africans of all walks of life have access to swimwear that gives them the confidence to step into the water.
Our Vision
To be the leading brand championing for Africans in swimming and sports, globally.
Our Values
Inclusivity
Inclusion is built into our patterns. We serve all bodies, all cultures, and all expressions.
Cultural Pride
We challenge the senses with African storytelling, turning every swimsuit into a piece of art.
Impact
We are committed to empowering our communities—especially the youth—and driving global representation of African creativity.
The Spark
Founded in 2018 by Neema Nkatha Kinoti, Ohana Family Wear didn't start in a boardroom; it started with a packing list.
While preparing for a trip to Europe, Neema looked through her closet. She found African-inspired clothing, shoes, and accessories—a beautiful display of her heritage. But when she looked for African-designed swimwear, there was nothing. That silence was deafening. The absence of representation highlighted a deeper issue of visibility, identity, and access.
Built from the ground up in Kenya, Ohana was born to bridge that gap. We realized that if we wanted to see African culture celebrated in the water, we had to be the ones to design it.
“From our first collection to our latest designs, we’ve stayed committed to creating pieces that make every customer feel confident and inspired.”
- Neema Kinoti - CEO & Founder
The Ohana Experience
Ohana is culture.
Ohana is confidence.
Ohana is family.
The Ohana Difference
Ohana began with aesthetics — but it has evolved into something more.
Today, we design at the intersection of culture, performance, and inclusion.
Our pieces are:
- Culturally intentional — every design is a form of storytelling
- Performance-driven — chlorine-resistant, durable, and made for movement
- Inclusive by design — including modest and adaptive swimwear
- Made for real bodies — guided by size charts that reflect real people
We don’t just design for how swimwear looks.
We design for how it feels, how it fits, and how it empowers.
Recognized Globally, Rooted Locally
From Kenya to the world, the Ohana footprint continues to grow. We are proud to have been exhibited at the Design Museum in London, where we joined the conversation on water, culture, and design on a global stage.
We are also honored to have been recognized by the DHL Women Exporter of the Year Awards, a testament to our growth as a Kenyan brand successfully expanding into international markets.
