Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina is branching out from Parliament into beauty, fashion and entrepreneurship with Skinly, a new lifestyle brand combining skincare, fashion and wellness services, and creating opportunities for women and young people.
Skinly was launched at Bonsai Villa in Gigiri, Nairobi. It builds on Maina’s long-held passion for skincare and fashion and offers a space that celebrates women and caters to their personal care and lifestyle needs.
The event drew a mix of political, legal, media and civic figures, among them political communications strategist Pauline Njoroge, Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango, Baragwi Ward MCA David Munyi Mathenge, Siasa Place Executive Director Nerima Wako-Ojiwa and former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Mony Odhiambo. Lawyers, journalists, politicians and political aspirants were also present.
Speaking about what inspired the venture, Maina said her love for skincare and fashion led her to imagine a brand that merges the two.
“I love skincare, and I love fashion. I wanted to bring these interests together under one brand—something that speaks to women and meets their lifestyle needs,” she said.
She described Skinly as a one-stop destination where women can access a range of beauty and lifestyle services in an experience built around their needs and preferences.
“Women care about their skin and how it looks and feels. For many, skincare is an important part of how they care for themselves and present themselves to the world,” she said.
Located at Covo Square on Gitanga Road in Nairobi, Skinly offers skincare, fashion and spa services. Its range includes skincare products for different skin types, facial analysis, beauty therapy, manicures and pedicures, as well as a fashion line of shoes, dresses, hats and fascinators.
Maina added that she wanted the brand to have a distinct feel, using pink and pastel tones to create a welcoming space where women can unwind, shop and feel celebrated.
She noted that the concept also acknowledges the many roles women juggle, from raising children and running households to building demanding careers.
“I wanted to create a space where women feel celebrated and empowered, while also giving them an opportunity to take time for themselves,” she said.
The venture also reflects her belief in entrepreneurship as a route to employment. She revealed that she has already hired six young people under the age of 25, with more jobs expected as the business grows.
For Maina, launching amid economic uncertainty and ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election was a conscious choice, not a reason to hold back.
“I believe in Kenya, and I believe in our institutions. I want this launch to demonstrate that we can continue investing, building businesses and creating opportunities even during uncertain times,” she said.
She added that leaders have a part to play in building confidence in the country and advancing the common good through initiatives that create opportunities outside public office.
“As a leader, I can demonstrate that it is possible to serve in politics and still invest in a business. We must believe in the strength of our institutions, have confidence in our society and continue working towards the common good,” she said.
Maina said that waiting for perfect economic conditions could mean delaying her goals indefinitely.
“If I do not take this step now, I might find myself waiting another five or ten years for the ‘right’ time. I believe this is the time to begin. There is no perfect time,” she said.
She hopes her journey will inspire others, especially young people, to act on their ideas and create opportunities for themselves and others.
Maina has also recently returned to music with the reggae single “Hit and Run,” a playful love song about self-serving partners. During her university years, before joining politics, she recorded as Carola Jayne under Grandpa Records.
An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Maina runs Njeri Maina Law Advocates and serves as Kirinyaga Woman Representative in the National Assembly.
With Skinly, she is combining her interests in skincare, fashion and creativity with a drive to create jobs. The venture extends her work beyond public service into business, with a focus on women’s personal care, self-expression and economic opportunities for young people.
