Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has disclosed plans by the government to implement a 25 per cent tax on shoe imports.
Speaking on the Obinna Show on Monday night, the CS highlighted that these taxes are intended to reduce the appeal of importing shoes and instead support local manufacturers.
Kuria also pointed out that Kenya possesses ample livestock resources to supply hides needed for shoe manufacturing, underscoring the country's potential to bolster its local shoe industry.
"This year, by the way, we are imposing a 25 per cent on shoes. If you want to buy from Italy, prepare to pay more," the CS stated.
"We have skin and have the second-largest herd of cattle that can produce shoes in Africa and right here in Kenya."
The CS further revealed that during his tenure in the Ministry of Trade, he imposed taxes on imports of products such as cement.
As a result, he celebrated the opening of a clinker factory in West Pokot that now employs north of 2,800 people.
"We have these huge problems of unemployment and when we keep on importing things from outside denying our country of jobs, we are really sabotaging ourselves," Kuria added.
"Last year, I put in taxes for imports which are brought in from outside. As a result, a factory for cement was opened up in West Pokot. 2,800 people are employed as a result of deliberate policies that I put there."
Earlier on June 1, President William Ruto had made public his plans to ban shoe importations entirely to promote local industries in the sector.
During his Madaraka Day speech, the Head of State highlighted that the annual importation of 15 million pairs of shoes was adversely affecting the local leather industry. He pledged to eliminate this practice by the year 2027 gradually.
"Our commercialisation agenda prioritises leather, dairy, and red meat value chains, supported by projects like the Livestock Commercialisation Project, which aids 11,000 vulnerable youth and women-led households in 10 counties," he stated during the celebrations in Bungoma.
He also reiterated the government's objective to raise local shoe production from the current 8 million pairs per year to 36 million pairs annually. This initiative aims to significantly enhance revenue generation to Ksh120 billion.
Additionally, it is anticipated to create employment opportunities, increasing the workforce from 17,000 to 100,000 jobs.
