Enda launches to give Kenya’s world-class runners the shoes they deserve
16/08/2016
Entrepreneurs Nava Osembo-Ombati and Weldon Kennedy founded Enda in 2015, inspired by their conviction that Kenya’s reputation as the home of many world-class runners ought to mean it can also produce world-class running shoes.
Enda has a long-term goal to source all components for its shoes in Kenya and for the finished product to be assembled there. Initially, however, it will be sourcing materials and components from Asia, before building its shoes in Kenya.
Technical features of the Enda design include a wider than usual toe-box to create more space for the little toe. “A natural toe-splay helps to absorb impact, which is why we went a bit wider to give the little toe some room to do its work,” the brand has said.
The shoes also have a heel-to-toe drop of only 4 millimetres, half as much as many other running shoes. Its thinking is that too much foam under the heel relative to the forefoot creates the risk of the thick heel hitting first and throwing runners off their gait. Too little and they might not have enough cushion under the heel when going downhill or over rough terrain. “If you watch just about any Kenyan runner, you’ll notice they land on their mid-foot or the balls of thei feet,” Enda has said.
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