Mutahi Kagwe Takes Up Uhuru's Year-long Love [PHOTOS]

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Health CS Mutahi Kagwe after his swearing-in ceremony at State House on February 28, 2020
President Uhuru Kenyatta with Health CS Mutahi Kagwe after his swearing-in ceremony at State House on February 28, 2020
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Health CS Mutahi Kagwe is slowly taking after President Uhuru Kenyatta and has developed a special liking to one of the head of state's passions. 

Since his appointment at the start of 2020, CS Kagwe has been rocking unique Kenyan-made shirts during his tours and press conferences, just as President Kenyatta since the relaunch of Rivatex in 2019. He made it his personal goal to be the ambassador of Kenya's textile industry.

A spot check of his public appearances before the appointment by Kenyans.co.ke showed that the CS was used to formal plain shirts. 

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe launches the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Diagnostic and Reporting Centre, Nairobi in February 2020 as Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi (behind) watches
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe launches the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Diagnostic and Reporting Centre, Nairobi in February 2020 as Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi (behind) watches
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Some of the best hits of Kagwe's revamped closet include a red shirt with large flower patterns.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking during a past address at Afya House
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking during a past address at Afya House
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State House took notice of the stir Uhuru's shirt had caused online during his address on August 26 and decided to promote the designs. 

"The revival of Kenya's leading textile factories among them Rivatex, Thika Cotton Mills and Ken Knit among others, is a deliberate and sustained government strategy aimed at benefitting cotton farmers, growing local industries and creating jobs for the youth," State House noted.  

While lifting the ban on importation of second hand clothes, commonly known as mitumba, the president urged traders to also help build the local cotton industry.

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As a step towards the resumption of importation and sale of mitumba in the country, the head of state and the traders agreed on the following measures:

a) All mitumba importers shall be required to register with Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS);

b) Mitumba (used clothing and shoes) shall be packed in bales that do not exceed 50kg. The Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development and KEBS shall initiate necessary corrective measures;

c) Mitumba importers will be required to obtain pre-shipment fumigation certificates in addition to complying with health protocols as directed by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development and KEBS. Importers will ensure that fumigation is undertaken before baling in compliance with the established standards;

d) Mitumba importers will be required to adhere to the KEBS standards and ensure that prohibited items are not imported into the country by instituting necessary sorting and categorization mechanisms before baling. The members of the association have committed to observing this requirement and have been made aware of the sanctions associated with its violation;

e) For ease of contact tracing and tax compliance, importers and wholesalers of mitumba shall be required to submit to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and KEBS, a register of their first tier customers;

f) Mitumba importers will ensure that they obtain certificates of conformity from KEBS contracted agents in the country of origin before importation;

g) KEBS and KRA shall undertake necessary random inspections to ensure compliance with relevant laws and will take action against offenders in accordance with the law.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking during a press conference at Harambee House on March 15, 2020
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking during a press conference at Harambee House on March 15, 2020
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