On a busy Saturday morning, a steady stream of cars pulls up to the parking lot of Adams Arcade on Nairobi’s Ngong Road. Some are here for groceries, but a noticeable number are making their way to the refurbished furniture stalls tucked behind the main building.
From modern velvet couches to near-new fridges and gently-used office chairs, the second-hand market is humming with life.
Welcome to the booming trade of refurbished furniture and electronics — a growing industry that’s quietly reshaping how urban Kenyans consume, furnish their homes, and even do business.
“I could have walked into a mall and bought a brand-new microwave for Sh18,000,” says Fiona Katumbi, a 24-year-old. “But why do that when I can get the same brand, same condition, for Sh7,000 at a second-hand shop — with a one-month warranty?”
Fiona is part of young professionals who are deliberately choosing quality second-hand items — not out of desperation but out of smart economics.
“In my circle, no one’s ashamed to say, ‘I bought my washing machine from a refurbished dealer.’ It’s become a norm,” she adds, laughing.
“We’re all trying to save without compromising lifestyle.”
And it’s not just microwaves. Fiona’s entire home office setup — ergonomic chair, desk, printer, and even a coffee machine — is second-hand, all sourced online or through referrals.
Drive through most middle-income estates — Lang’ata, Embakasi, South B, Ruaka, and even Syokimau — and you’ll spot make-shift workshops and shops stacked with neatly-arranged couches, tables, beds, and office furniture. Most are made locally but styled to mimic global trends. Others are pre-loved imports from Europe or Asia, cleaned up and restyled.
Globally, the second-hand furniture market was valued $16.13 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $32.63 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10.16 percent. This is driven by environmental awareness and the popularity of thrift culture.
Then there is also the rise of digital thrifting. Instagram and Facebook have become marketplaces for refurbished electronics and furniture — with pages like Furaha Deals KE, Dikta Electronics, and Ngong Road Furniture Spot amassing thousands of followers.
“There are days we sell out by 10am, especially when we post high-end electronics — think LG smart TVs or Samsung double-door fridges,” says Paul Muiru, an ex-UK goods entrepreneur who runs Brex EX-UK Goods, a store in Ruaka that specialises in refurbished gadgets, bicycles, utensils, furniture and electronics.
He started the business post Covid-19 after visiting both the UK and US and seeing the opportunities.
“Our clientele is 70 percent working professionals — doctors, engineers, consultants. These are people who want quality but are also financially savvy,” he says.
“Unlike new items, you are assured of original, authentic and quality products when you buy ex-UK or ex-US even though they are second hand. You’ll be shocked that a bike you buy for your first born will be ridden by your last born even 10 years later. That’s the reason I decided to import, revamp then sell,” says Muiru.
According to retail analyst and economist Mercy Njoroge, the rise in refurbished goods is linked to a blend of post-pandemic economic caution, the high cost of living, and growing environmental consciousness.
“With inflation biting and the shilling struggling, many consumers are recalibrating their spending. The stigma around second-hand is fading. Now it’s viewed as financially intelligent,” explains Dr Njoroge.
It also speaks to a changing mindset around sustainability.
“The new consumer is thinking: Why discard a perfectly working fridge that just needs a new thermostat? Or throw out a mahogany desk that only needs sanding and varnish?” she adds.
This change is echoed in Kenya’s middle-income economy, where the gap between aspiration and affordability has created a ripe space for refurbished goods.
Behind the thriving second-hand market is a parallel repair economy — carpenters, electricians, upholsterers, and technicians who breathe new life into old pieces.
“In a week, we repair and restyle about 15 to 20 couches,” says Maureen Otieno, a furniture refurbisher in Umoja. “Sometimes, it’s as simple as changing fabric. Other times, we rebuild entire frames.”
The business has given her team of four artisans consistent work and a loyal clientele.
“We have clients who buy old furniture, then bring it to us for a full makeover. They end up with something bespoke, and at half the cost,” she says.
For electronics, it’s the same story. At Luthuli Avenue, which has long been Nairobi’s tech hub, small repair shops are now offering full refurb packages — replacing screens, cleaning motherboards, and upgrading software before reselling items.
But it’s not just unregulated corner shops. Bigger players are entering the space.
“Refurbished is no longer synonymous with shady. We give our customers receipts, guarantees, and options for after-sales service,” says Mary Ng’ang’a, operations lead at Refurb Tech Kenya, a mid-size enterprise that sources used laptops and office equipment from corporates and resells them after full diagnostic checks.
Still, the sector isn’t without its loopholes. Some consumers have complained of being duped — buying faulty items, stolen goods, or pieces that break down weeks later.
To counter this, some businesses are setting new standards.
“We created a ‘Trust Tag’ — a small QR code attached to every item we sell,” says Mike Munene. “Scan it, and it shows the item’s history: when it was refurbished, by whom, and what was fixed. It’s our way of building transparency.”
Others are pushing for policy support and regulation to formalise the trade.
“There’s potential for second-hand to become a proper economic sub-sector, especially with tax incentives for repair-based businesses or startups focused on circular economy models,” suggests Dr Njoroge.
At Gadgets Leo, a tech shop tucked inside Veteran House on Moi Avenue, the refurbished phone business is handled with cautious precision.
“Most of the refurbished phones we stock are trade-ins,” says Brendah Matasi, a vendor at the store.
Brendah Matasi, a gadgets vendor at Gadgets Leo prefers selling new over refurbished unless it's a trade at Veteran House, Moi Avenue, Nairobi on April 11, 2025.
Photo credit: George D. Mwendwa | Nation Media Group
“Many come in with battery problems or software issues like hanging. We only sell them when we get trade-in clients — and even then, some still have faults.”
Perhaps what’s most intriguing about the rise of second-hand furniture and electronics is how it’s reshaping consumer culture. For many Kenyans, it’s no longer about showing off the newest thing — it’s about smart consumption, functionality, and making conscious decisions.
“It’s not poverty. It’s intentionality,” emphasises Fiona. “We’re living in a time when every coin counts. And if I can get the same fridge, same quality, with some charm and character — why not?”
