Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on Monday disclosed plans to introduce an export and investment promotion levy, to discourage the importation of second hand clothes popularly known as mitumba.
Speaking during a textile revitalization workshop in Eldoret, Kuria explained that this new move aimed to facilitate the growth of the local textile industry and create more job opportunities for Kenyans.
Acknowledging the anticipated resistance from mitumba importers, the CS emphasized that Kenya cannot sustain its reliance on imports while simultaneously undermining the local manufacturing industry.
"I agree with Mitumba traders because we have not given them an alternative. There are no cheaper locally produced clothes for them to sell," he added.
However, the Cabinet Secretary claimed that a section of Mitumba traders have confided in him that they are ready to support the local clothing manufacturing sector as long as the products are affordable and of high quality.
"In the next Finance Bill or even earlier, I will propose a new 25 per cent levy on imported clothes because the time has come for us to grow our textile sector for the benefit of Kenyans," he stated.
Kuria expressed optimism that the proposed levy will act as a wake-up call for local manufacturers and warned that the government will go the extra mile to ensure that the law is pushed through.
"In a few years to come if you do not give me a robust working textile industry, I will force you to come to my meetings naked. This is because you have all the necessary materials to make the industry thrive," he remarked.
The CS emphasised that Kenya has the potential to have a thriving cotton industry but the project will require the collaboration of all stakeholders from national, and county governments, the private sector, and the farmers.
"Let us wear our of apparels, made from our own cotton produced by our industry," he added.
Hot Political Potato
In the build up to the 2022 presidential election, Azimio candidate Raila Odinga came under heavy criticism for saying that his administration would ban the importation of second hand clothes.
The opposition leader explicitly mentioned that the second hand garments are 'worn by dead people'.
Kenya Kwanza, led by President William Ruto, then a presidential candidate, milked the opportunity accusing the former Prime Minister of demeaning an industry that has uplifted the lives of millions of Kenyans.
In a statement, Ruto took a swipe at his political nemesis saying that under his bottom-up economic model, his government would grow the sewing, cottage, textile and leather industries.
However, in a quick rejoinder, Raila dismissed Ruto's criticism observing that Ruto too, had expressed intentions to ban the second-hand clothes trade in June 2022.
"Tell those guys, the internet never forgets," Raila said at the time.
