About Us
Washa means ‘bring to light’ in Swahili.
We make candles that celebrate the kulture 🇰🇪 through art & scent. Each Washa candle is thoughtfully designed to honour the unbowed women of Kenya, offering a sensory journey through art and scent.
All our candles are made from 100% soy or coconut wax which is natural and renewable. All our wicks are constructed from natural flat cotton threads and are lead and zinc-free for a clean burn. All our oils are phthalate-free, petroleum-free, and cruelty-free!
The Founder
Habari. I’m Gladwell Kabi Mwangi, the founder of Washa Candles.
I started Washa in 2019 from my home kitchen while living far from Kenya and missing the places, people, and moments that shaped me. What began as a personal way to reconnect with home soon became a collection of candles inspired by memory, culture, and the stories that make me who I am.
Each Washa candle is thoughtfully hand-poured and crafted with care, combining clean ingredients, meaningful fragrance blends, and artwork inspired by Kenya's beauty and heritage. Every scent is designed to evoke a feeling, spark a memory, and create a sense of warmth and belonging.
Today, alongside an incredible team and community of supporters, I'm proud to share these stories through scent with customers around the world.
Shukran for being part of the journey🕯️🇰🇪
The Cause
Washa candles are inspired by the unbowed women of Kenya and we’ve made a commitment to amplify their voices and advocate for gender equality. Our mission is to celebrate and protect these women.
We donate 2% of candle sales towards causes and non-profit organisations that protect Kenyan women and mitigate oppressive practices.
