What Is Mkeka wa Mbao in English?
Heard everyone talking about mkeka wa mbao and wondered what it actually is?
Mkeka wa mbao is Swahili for wooden mat. In English it is called vinyl sheet flooring or wood look vinyl carpet. It is a thick sheet of PVC printed with a wood or tile design that rolls out over your existing floor.
- Prices last updated October 2026
- Delivery and fitting across Nairobi
- Showroom at Summit House, Moi Avenue
In short: Mkeka wa mbao is the Kenyan name for wood look vinyl sheet flooring, also called vinyl carpet. Excel Deco on Moi Avenue, Nairobi sells it at KSh 1,299 per sqm on 2 metre wide rolls cut to any length. It goes over tiles, screed or old vinyl.
- Mkeka wa mbao: KSh 1,299 per sqm
- English name: vinyl sheet flooring or vinyl carpet
- Roll width 2 metres, any length
- Goes over tiles, screed or old vinyl
Prices last updated October 2026. Excel Deco Solutions, Summit House Room 9, Moi Avenue, Nairobi.
Why the name stuck
The first rolls sold in Kenya were printed with wooden planks and people called them wooden mats. The name stayed even now that stone and tile designs are common.
What it is made of
A printed design layer sits on a cushioned PVC base with a clear wear layer on top. The better rolls are thicker, around 1.2mm to 2mm and resist dents and scratches longer.
What it is not
It is not laminate, which is a board you click together. It is not SPC, which is a rigid plank. Both cost more and last longer. Mkeka wa mbao is the roll out option for a quick, low cost upgrade.
Where to buy it in Nairobi
Excel Deco stocks wood design mkeka wa mbao at Summit House Room 9, Moi Avenue. We deliver across Nairobi and courier to other towns.
Other names you will hear in shops
Walk down Luthuli Avenue or ask a fundi and you will hear many names for the same roll. Knowing them helps you compare prices and avoid confusion.
- Vinyl sheet flooring. The most accurate English name.
- Vinyl carpet. Common in Kenya because it comes on a roll like carpet.
- PVC floor covering. Used on some invoices and labels.
- Lino or linoleum. Many people say this. True linoleum is a different, older material, so if a seller says lino, ask if they mean vinyl sheet.
- Mkeka. Just the short form. Wood look rolls are mkeka wa mbao. Tile look rolls are sometimes called mkeka wa tiles.
Whatever the name, the product is a flexible vinyl sheet with a printed pattern on top. It is not laminate and it is not SPC.
When you call around for prices, use the same name each time and ask for the price per sqm, not per metre of roll. A price per metre of a 2 metre wide roll is double the price per sqm, which makes some quotes look cheaper than they are.
How to order it: the 2 metre width and the maths
Mkeka wa mbao comes on rolls 2 metres wide and is cut to any length. That width decides how much you buy, so plan which way the strips will run.
Take a bedroom that is 3.5 metres long and 3 metres wide.
- Strips along the 3.5 metre side: you need 2 strips to cover 3 metres of width. Each strip is 3.7 metres with trimming. That is 7.4 metres of roll, or 14.8 sqm.
- Strips along the 3 metre side: 2 strips cover 4 metres, enough for the 3.5 metre length. Each strip is 3.2 metres with trimming. That is 6.4 metres of roll, or 12.8 sqm.
The second way saves 2 sqm. At KSh 1,299 per sqm, 12.8 sqm costs 12.8 x 1,299 = KSh 16,627. Send us your room sizes on WhatsApp and we will work out the cheapest layout for you.
Caring for it in Nairobi dust and rain
Mkeka wa mbao is easy to live with. A few habits make it last closer to the top of its life span.
- Sweep daily. Grit from the road acts like sandpaper on the print.
- Damp mop with plain water and a little mild soap. Skip bleach and hard scrubbing brushes.
- Put a good mat at the main door, more so in the April and November rains. Our door mat price guide lists sizes from KSh 2,999.
- Fit felt pads under chair and table legs. Lift furniture when you move it. Never drag a sofa.
- Keep strong afternoon sun off the floor with blinds. See our living room blinds for options.
When to choose something else
Mkeka wa mbao is the right choice for a rental, a quick refresh or a tight budget. If you own the house and plan to stay ten years or more, it is worth comparing it with SPC. SPC costs more per sqm but is rigid, waterproof and lasts longer. Our guide what is SPC flooring explains the difference.
If you are torn between mkeka and the tiles in your house, read mkeka wa mbao vs tiles. It covers cost, life span and which rooms suit each.
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Vinyl Carpet Mkeka wa MbaoKSh 1,299Questions buyers ask
What does mkeka wa mbao mean?
Wooden mat in Swahili. It describes wood look vinyl sheet flooring.
How much is mkeka wa mbao in Kenya?
KSh 1,299 per sqm at Excel Deco. Prices last updated October 2026.
Is mkeka wa mbao the same as laminate?
No. Laminate is a rigid board. Mkeka wa mbao is a flexible sheet.
Can it be used in a bathroom?
Yes if the edges are sealed, though tiles or SPC are better for wet rooms.
Is mkeka wa mbao the same as vinyl flooring?
Yes, it is a type of vinyl flooring that comes as a sheet on a roll. Vinyl planks such as LVT and SPC are different products that come in boxes.
How wide is mkeka wa mbao?
The rolls are 2 metres wide and cut to any length you need. Wider rooms are covered with two or more strips joined side by side.
Can mkeka wa mbao go on cement screed?
Yes, as long as the screed is clean, dry and smooth. Bumps and stones under the sheet will show through and wear holes over time.
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Want to see mkeka wa mbao designs?
Send your sizes or a photo of the space on WhatsApp 0757 753 748, call 0757 753 748 or email info@exceldeco.co.ke. Visit the Excel Deco Solutions showroom at Summit House Room 9, Moi Avenue, Nairobi. We deliver and install across Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado.