Japanese Pharmaceutical Giant Rohto Mentholatum Group launches Operations in Kenya

Leading Japanese Consumer Healthcare company, Rohto Mentholatum Group, has launched its operations in Kenya as it targets to foray into the larger Eastern Africa region.

Rohto Mentholatum (K) brings innovation and a wealth of experience in the design and development of high-quality consumer healthcare products and cosmetics.

Through an initial investment of over KES100 million, the company will be headquartered in Nairobi with a view of providing strategic services in the healthcare and cosmetic sectors in the region.

Speaking during the launch, Rohto Mentholatum (K) Limited Country Director Ms. Fumiko Akojima said Kenya’s growing population provides a great opportunity for the company to advance its healthy living agenda.  

“We have come to Kenya because we see it as a strategic gateway to East and Central Africa. Today’s launch marks a major milestone in Rohto Mentholatum Group’s heritage and mission,” said Ms. Akojima.

Ms.  Akojima noted that  company will largely focus on developing both the consumer healthcare and cosmetics industry in Kenya by introducing more innovative products tailored to suit specific needs in the marketplace.  

“I am also privileged to introduce a range of scalp care products in Kenya called ROOTIA, and this is a great achievement  for our company here today,” she said.

“ROOTIA brings a new and unique experience in scalp care and will give Kenyans an opportunity to grow healthy hair,” she said.

The launch of Rohto Mentholatum (K) and the unveiling of ROOTIA range of products comes in the wake of increased  Japanese investments in Kenya, leveraging the long-term relationship that the countries have enjoyed over the past many years. The development also underscores Japan’s commitment to the $30 billion (KES 3 trillion) investment pledge to transform Africa that was made during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) conference last August.

“Japan has been heavily involved in transformational infrastructure projects in Kenya. The launch of Rohto Mentholatum Group in Kenya is a testimony of Japan’s commitment to fostering a healthy trading relationship with Kenya,” said JICA Kenya chief representative Ms. Keiko Sano.

During the 2016 TICAD, Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), a body mandated with promoting investments in Kenya recorded more than 20 memoranda of understanding (MOUs), signed between Japanese companies, Kenya’s private sector and government institutions.

“Kenya is the fifth-largest economy south of the Sahara with educated, qualified and skilled youthful labor force,” said Dr. Moses Ikiara, KenInvest Managing Director.  

“The Kenyan Government is building an enabling environment to attract investment and improve the ease of doing business,” Dr. Ikiara noted

Rohto Mentholatum is widely known in Kenya for its muscle pain reliever Deep Heat which is renown worldwide for its effectiveness. Recently, the company also introduced an acne solution called Acnes.