Kenya's KAM seeks reduction in import of second-hand clothing, shoes

06 May '23

1 min read

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If a new proposal by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) is adopted, domestic traders of second-hand clothing (mitumba) will be forced to sell at least 10 per cent of their stock with garments manufactured in the country.
The trade body wants the government to develop a framework that reduces import of second-hand clothing and footwear.

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has put forward a new proposal that would require local sellers of second-hand clothing (mitumba) to include a minimum of 10 per cent of garments produced within the country in their inventory.

In its 'Overview of Kenya’s Textile and Apparel Sector' report, the trade body wants the government to develop a framework that reduces import of second-hand clothing and footwear. This will enable an estimated $300 million (Sh40.8 billion) worth of fabric supply to export processing zones (EPZs).

KAM claimed the domestic apparel sector can create about 200,000 new jobs by 2030 and save Kenya over Sh40 billion annually by halving import of used clothes.

KAM’s proposal called on the government to develop a legal framework for enforcing the ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya (BKBK)’ initiative by asking all government ministries, departments and agencies to source from domestic textile manufacturers.

KAM says this can be accomplished by reviving cotton ginneries and textile mills and increasing spinning capacity from the current 39 per cent to at least 65 per cent by 2030, according to a report in a Kenyan newspaper.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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