Garden tools and shamba tools in Kenya: what each one is for
The basic garden and shamba tools in Kenya are the panga for clearing bush and cutting stems, the slasher for cutting grass, the rake for levelling soil and gathering debris, the spade for digging and moving soil, the pickaxe for breaking hard ground, and pruning shears and fence scissors for trimming plants and hedges. In Nairobi in October 2026, the Gemlight Panga 16" is KSh 10,095 for a carton of 48, and the Knicker Slasher is KSh 10,095 for a carton of 48.
Shamba tools at a glance
| Tool | What it is for | Options | Wholesale pack and price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemlight Panga | Clearing bush, cutting stems and branches | 212 16" straight; 204 16" curved; 204 12" curved | 16": KSh 10,095 / carton of 48; 12": KSh 9,400 / carton of 48 |
| Knicker Slasher | Cutting grass and weeds | Wooden or plastic handle | KSh 10,095 / carton of 48 |
| Rake | Levelling soil, breaking clods, clearing stones | 10, 12, 14, 16 teeth | From KSh 9,570 / carton of 60 |
| Leaf Rake, Metal 22 Teeth | Gathering leaves and cut grass | 22 teeth | KSh 12,180 / carton of 60 |
| Knicker Spade S503Y | Digging, edging, moving soil | One model | KSh 6,265 / bag of 12 |
| Knicker Pickaxe | Breaking hard or stony ground | 5 lb, 7 lb | 5 lb: KSh 3,135 / bag of 6; 7 lb: KSh 4,700 / bag of 6 |
| Knicker Pruning Shear 7" | Pruning stems, shoots and small branches | Curved and straight | KSh 27,840 / carton of 120 |
| Knicker Fence Scissors (Garden Cutter) | Trimming hedges and live fences | Plastic, adjustable, aluminium heavy duty, wooden 9" | From KSh 12,530 / carton of 36 |
What is a panga used for?
The panga is the all-purpose cutting tool of the Kenyan shamba. Farmers use it to clear bush, cut maize and sugar cane stalks, split light wood, trim branches and cut fodder. The Gemlight Panga comes with a wooden handle in three versions, all in cartons of 48:
- 212, 16" straight: KSh 10,095 a carton, about KSh 210 a piece. A straight blade for general clearing and chopping.
- 204, 16" curved: KSh 10,095 a carton, about KSh 210 a piece. The curve helps with hooking and pulling stems towards the cut.
- 204, 12" curved: KSh 9,400 a carton, about KSh 196 a piece. Shorter and lighter for lighter work and smaller hands.
Keep the blade sharp; a blunt panga needs more force and is more likely to glance off.
What is a slasher used for?
A slasher is a long, flat, hooked blade swung low to cut grass and weeds. It is the standard tool for keeping compounds, school fields, roadsides and paddocks short without a mower. The Knicker Slasher comes with a wooden or plastic handle, both at KSh 10,095 for a carton of 48, which works out at about KSh 210 a piece.
Rake or leaf rake: which one?
A rake with short, stiff teeth is for soil. Use it to level seedbeds, break up clods and pull out stones and roots after digging. The Rake comes in four widths, all in cartons of 60: 10 teeth at KSh 9,570 (about KSh 160 a piece), 12 teeth at KSh 11,310 (about KSh 188), 14 teeth at KSh 12,615 (about KSh 210) and 16 teeth at KSh 14,355 (about KSh 239). More teeth means a wider head that covers more ground per pass.
A leaf rake has long, springy teeth fanned out wide. It gathers leaves, cut grass and light debris without digging into the soil. The Leaf Rake, Metal 22 Teeth is KSh 12,180 for a carton of 60, about KSh 203 a piece.
Spade or pickaxe for digging?
A spade digs, cuts clean edges, lifts and moves soil, and digs planting holes and trenches in workable ground. The Knicker Spade S503Y is KSh 6,265 for a bag of 12, about KSh 522 a piece.
When the ground is too hard, compacted or stony for a spade, break it first with a pickaxe, then clear the loose soil with the spade. The Knicker Pickaxe comes in two head weights, both in bags of 6: 5 lb at KSh 3,135 (about KSh 522 a piece) and 7 lb at KSh 4,700 (about KSh 783 a piece). The 5 lb is easier to swing for long periods; the 7 lb hits harder in rocky or murram ground.
Pruning shears or fence scissors?
Pruning shears are one-handed cutters for single stems: pruning coffee, tea, fruit trees, roses and flowers, and taking cuttings. The Knicker Pruning Shear 7", curved and straight, is KSh 27,840 for a carton of 120, about KSh 232 a piece.
Fence scissors are two-handed shears with long blades for trimming hedges and live fences such as kei apple and cypress. The Knicker Fence Scissors (Garden Cutter) come in four types:
- Plastic Handle: KSh 12,530 for a carton of 36, about KSh 348 a piece.
- Wooden Handle 9": KSh 14,500 for a carton of 50, about KSh 290 a piece.
- Adjustable Handle: KSh 16,360 for a carton of 24, about KSh 682 a piece. The handles are adjustable.
- Aluminium Heavy Duty: KSh 41,760 for a carton of 24, about KSh 1,740 a piece. Aluminium handles, listed as heavy duty.
What should an agro-dealer stock?
A small agro-dealer serving smallholder farmers can cover most demand with pangas, slashers, a rake, a spade and pruning shears, then add pickaxes and fence scissors where customers need them. All of these lines are sold wholesale only, by the carton or bag, so a mixed order builds a full shelf in one delivery. A starter order of one carton each of the 16" panga, the slasher and the 12-teeth rake comes to KSh 31,500, which is over the KSh 15,000 mark for free delivery.
Which one should you buy?
- Clearing bush and cutting stalks: Gemlight Panga 16", straight or curved.
- Cutting grass without a mower: Knicker Slasher.
- Preparing seedbeds: Rake, 12 or 14 teeth.
- Clearing leaves and cut grass: Leaf Rake, Metal 22 Teeth.
- Digging in normal soil: Knicker Spade S503Y; in hard or stony ground, add a Knicker Pickaxe.
- Pruning coffee, fruit trees and flowers: Knicker Pruning Shear 7".
- Trimming hedges and live fences: Knicker Fence Scissors.
Where to buy
Everything in this guide is in our Garden Tools range, part of the wider Tools & Hardware range. These lines are sold wholesale only, by the pack (carton, bag or packet), never as single pieces. If you need only one or two pieces, share a carton with other fundis or shops, or buy for stock. Collect from our Nairobi trade counter at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road (Mon–Sat 8:00–17:30), or order for countrywide delivery at KSh 350 flat, free on orders over KSh 15,000. Pay by M-Pesa or card. Trade buyers can request a quote on the trade page, or send your list on WhatsApp +254 724 505 919.
Related guides
- Chicken wire price in Kenya (2026): every roll size and width
- How much wire to fence a plot in Kenya: rolls, extras and real costs
- How to stock a hardware shop in Kenya: an opening-stock guide
Common questions
What is the price of a panga in Kenya?
In Nairobi in October 2026, the Gemlight Panga 16" is KSh 10,095 for a carton of 48 (about KSh 210 a piece) and the 12" is KSh 9,400 for a carton of 48 (about KSh 196 a piece).
What is the difference between a panga and a slasher?
A panga is a heavy chopping blade for bush, stalks and branches. A slasher is a long, hooked blade swung low to cut grass and weeds.
Which pickaxe weight should I choose?
The 5 lb is easier to swing all day. The 7 lb hits harder for rocky or murram ground.
Can I buy a single panga or spade?
No. These tools are sold wholesale by the carton or bag. If you need one or two, share a carton with neighbours or a farmer group, or buy for resale.