Meet Ali Abdi behind Raila Odinga’s High-End Sneaker Style

Ali Abdi, better known as Nairobi West Niccur, has built a name for himself as one of Kenya’s youngest and most successful fashion entrepreneurs. From sewing school uniforms in high school to supplying sneakers to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Ali’s journey shows how far passion and persistence can take you in Kenya’s growing fashion scene.

How Did Ali Abdi Build His Fashion Empire?

Ali’s business story began in 2018 while still in high school. He earned extra cash by tailoring classmates’ trousers to make them more fashionable and slim-fitting. That early hustle sparked his interest in fashion, inspiring him to dream of running his own clothing business.

After completing high school in, he pitched the idea to his parents. Though initially skeptical, they eventually agreed to fund his first batch of stock. Ali launched his business online, where his sneaker sales took off quickly. Within three months, he opened a physical shop that specialized in premium sneaker brands such as Nike, Jordan, Puma, Adidas, and Air Max.

His success was fueled by his strong social media following and connection with Kenya’s youth. The popularity of his sneaker store inspired him to launch his own Kenyan clothing line, La Beaste Brand, in late 2020. The line quickly gained traction, earning support from celebrities like Khaligraph Jones, Trio Mio, and Masterpiece.

How Did He Start Supplying Raila Odinga?

During an interview on Jalang’o TV’s Hot Topic Central, Ali shared how an unexpected encounter led him to Raila Odinga. “I used to sell shoes to the grandchild, but I didn’t know that he was the grandchild of Baba. So I was just selling him nice clothes and quality shoes until one day he asked him to deliver the shoes to his home. I took a matatu and headed to Karen then upon reaching the gated community, the grandchild came to pick me up,” he recalled.

“He then told me that he wants me to meet someone special. I was nervous since I didn’t know who it was and the place was invaded with tight security. We passed three gates and then from afar I saw Raila Odinga, I was so happy. I was privileged to meet him. He is a humble and great person,” Ali said.

After gifting and selling him a few sneakers, Ali became Raila’s go-to supplier for high-end shoes. Photos of him styling the ODM leader went viral, earning him national recognition and partnerships with top musicians for their music video wardrobes.

His success recently went global when he landed a deal with U.S.-based fashion giant Fashion Nova, becoming the first East African influencer to collaborate with the California brand.

By Risper Akinyi