Why Branding Matters More Than Ever
Branding is no longer about just a nice logo or a catchy tagline. It’s the sum of the first impression you create and the long-term perception you leave behind. In today’s hyper-competitive Kenyan marketplace, where customers are overwhelmed with choices and ads across multiple platforms, your brand identity is what helps you stand out or disappear into the noise.
A strong brand does more than look good. It drives trust, loyalty, and pricing power. For example, Safaricom’s brand equity is so strong that it continues to dominate the telecoms market in Kenya with a 64.7% market share (Communications Authority of Kenya, 2024). This isn’t just because of network coverage — it’s because the Safaricom brand has consistently positioned itself as reliable, innovative, and authentically Kenyan. Customers pay a premium because they trust what the brand stands for.
On the other hand, inconsistent branding confuses customers and weakens campaigns. A business that uses one style of logo on its website, another on invoices, and a different tone on social media sends mixed signals. This reduces recognition and undermines credibility. In fact, a Lucidpress survey found that businesses with consistent branding can increase revenue by up to 23% compared to those that do not.
In Kenya, consumer behaviour is also shifting. Authenticity and professionalism matter more than ever. The rise of e-commerce platforms like Jumia and the growth of fintech brands like M-Pesa and Tala show that Kenyan consumers are quick to adopt digital-first brands but only when they look professional and trustworthy. Poorly executed branding signals inexperience and unreliability, leading potential customers to quickly click away or choose a competitor.
In short: branding is not optional. It is the foundation for how customers perceive you, how partners engage with you, and ultimately how much value your business can command in the market.
Mini case study: NGO fundraising uplift from participatory, Kenya-led storytelling
A health-led NGO ran a live head-to-head fundraising test to see whether letting a Kenyan community health worker tell his own story would outperform a traditional, charity-authored appeal. Two direct-mail packs were sent to about 1,800 supporters: one created and voiced by Patrick, a community health worker in Nairobi, and one created in the charity’s usual voice. Independent coverage and the research partners report that the participant-led pack raised more money and performed at least as well as the charity-led version on financial response, challenging the long-held view that only professionally curated appeals work. For NGOs operating in Kenya, the takeaway is clear: authentic, locally authored brand narratives can improve financial outcomes as well as trust.