A new directive targeting second hand clothes, famously known as 'mitumba' has been introduced.
According to the new guidelines issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), second-hand clothes and shoe importers are required to fumigate their merchandise.
Kebs has also directed that the 'mitumba' imports be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a public health authority in the country where they were sourced.
The traders have protested the regulations terming them punitive and unrealistic, the People Daily reports.
The regulations set to take effect from July 20 also stipulates that consignments be packaged in clear transparent material at a maximum weight of 50kg for clothes and 25kg for shoes.
One of the importers identified as Abrar Afzaal -who imports clothes from Europe and Korea- said the notice of compliance was not sufficient since most dealers had already placed orders with their suppliers, and the consignments are already enroute to Kenya.
He argues that importers need at least four months to comply.
