Investment, trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has reiterated the Government’s commitment to streamlining local textile industry as it strives to mitigate dumping of second-hand clothes in the country, commonly known as mitumba.

The CS has said revitalizing local textile industry will go a long way in streamlining the industry, which for the longest has been overtaken by increased importation of second-hand clothes.

Cotton, Textile and Apparel (CTA) policy developed through a consultative engagement process is designed to revitalize the once thriving cotton industry in Kenya by increasing cotton production, value-addition, creation of employment and enhance market access for farmers.

“It is not a journey that we can achieve in a day but it must start and hard decisions have to be made along the way” the CS said.

CS Kinyanjui while addressing stakeholders in cotton, textile and apparel value chain, lamented increased use of imported and second-hand clothes in the country which has become a thorn in the flesh, despite great potential by local textile industries that remains untapped.

“Much of the mitumba is made locally, exported, then returned back to Kenya as second-hand clothes.” Kinyanjui cited.

Kinyanjui also called on the need to embrace new technology, full utilization of Export Processing Zones(EPZ) and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in a bid to align local manufacturers with global trade.

Cotton production has decreased over the years as farmers abandon the crop due to low profitability, limited Government support, competition from synthetic fibers and importation of second-hand clothing.
The policy development process was also evidence-based and data-driven providing a clear picture of the current reality of the sector.

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