The Ewaso Ng’iro Tannery and Leather factory, located in Narok County, is set to play a major role in revolutionizing Kenya’s leather industry.

The Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President in charge of performance and delivery management, Mr Eliud Owalo emphasized the factory’s capacity to significantly reduce the nation’s reliance on imported leather goods, including shoes.

Mr Owalo made the remarks during the verification exercise of key national projects in Narok County.

“One lesson that we learn from this factory is that if we have got adequate raw materials and we have the processing capacity, then as Kenyans we should not be importing any shoes,” said Mr Owalo.

With the installed capacity to process 2,400 tons of hides and skins annually, the factory is already making strides toward optimal capacity utilization, creating a strong foundation for economic growth.

The government has already pumped Ksh.1 billion into Phase 2 of the factory’s expansion and upgrade works and a shoe plant. The progress status for the shoe factory is at 80 per cent completion.

Tannery expansion is 100 per cent complete and operational. Modernization of machinery and Shoe Plant equipping are ongoing, though expansion of the wastewater treatment plant to support the increased operational capacity has not commenced.

“This factory has the ability to process more hides, create jobs, and reinvest in the local economy. We need to strengthen the entire leather value chain, from the abattoir to finished leather goods, to ensure everything is produced in-house,” Mr Owalo emphasized.

The Leather factory is situated in Narok North Sub County. Local leaders and industry stakeholders underscored the immense potential of this facility to stimulate further growth within the leather industry, encouraging local production of high-quality leather products, including footwear.

“We are also looking at building an abattoir because it will help us obtain hides and skins instead of going to Nairobi to buy from the Kenya Meat Commission. When you consider the number of cows and sheep slaughtered here in Narok, there are so many, and now we want to add value; this is the factory we are looking forward to. We hope to employ 500 people when the factory is fully operational,” said Patrick Ntutu, governor, Narok county.

According to Mr Owalo, leather represents one of Kenya’s untapped economic frontiers.

Much like agriculture, leather has the potential to become a major economic player, driving both local employment and national revenue.

The country’s abundant raw materials and growing manufacturing capacity make this an ideal time to capitalize on the sector’s growth.

“Leather is one of the new frontiers we have in our economy, just as agriculture. We should move away from the traditional sources of revenue into new unexploited frontiers,” Mr Owalo noted.

The factory’s cutting-edge technology will allow for faster, more efficient production of high-quality leather, positioning it as a leader in the sector.

The facility’s operations will create a ripple effect across related industries, from raw material suppliers to logistics companies, offering a much-needed boost to the region’s economy.

The factory also has the potential to act as a hub for research and development, fostering innovation in leather craftsmanship and design.

By incorporating sustainable practices and advanced machinery, the factory aims to set new standards for eco-friendly production in the leather industry, a crucial move in response to growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious products.

The Ewaso Ng’iro Tannery and Leather Factory is poised to create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods in Narok and neighbouring Kajiado County.

The department of veterinary services and the county government of Narok were urged to improve quality control of raw hides and skins.

It was also noted that high costs of imported tannery chemicals that are subjected to 25 percent import duty were impeding the factory’s operational sustainability.

An additional budgetary support of ksh.500 million is required to complete Phase 2 of the project; this will reduce overreliance on the exchequer.

The government is keen to expand the tannery’s production capacity through phase 3 that will increase the installed processing capacity by another 100 percent, from 2,400 to 4,800 tons of hides annually.

“We have completed the expansion of the tannery and have increased production from 1.2 million square feet of leather per year to 2.4 million square feet, which translates to 4.8 million square feet per year,” said Mr Ngala Oloitiptip, the chief executive officer, Ewaso Ng’iro South Development Authority.

During the verification tour of national government projects in Narok County, Mr Owalo was accompanied by Governor Patrick ole Ntutu, Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech, County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia, Narok County MP Rebecca Tonkei, Narok South MP Kitilai ole Ntutu, Narok North MP Agnes Mantaine, Speaker of Narok County Assembly Davis ole Dikirr, and senior county leaders.

Officials from key project implementing agencies, including Ewaso Ng’iro South Development Authority (ENSDA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, and the State Department for Housing and Urban Development were also present.