The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A new report by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) is urging the government to adopt a strategy that supports both second-hand clothing imports and domestic apparel manufacturing as complementary drivers of economic growth.
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Titled A Future Look at the Apparel and Footwear Industry in Kenya (2022–2037), the 15-year roadmap argues that Mitumba and local production can coexist and mutually reinforce one another, rather than compete.
“Second-hand clothing is not an obstacle to the textile industry—it’s part of the solution,” said MCAK Chairperson Teresia Wairimu Njenga at the report’s launch in Nairobi.
According to the study, rising incomes will increase demand for both new and second-hand clothing. By 2037, average income levels in Kenya are projected to double, supporting growth in both segments of the apparel market.
In 2022 alone, the Mitumba industry supported 2 million livelihoods and generated approximately Sh12 billion in taxes. The sector also promotes sustainability by cutting down textile waste and advancing circular economy practices.
“This is about making informed policy choices—eliminating unnecessary restrictions and building on the strengths of both sectors,” said IEA CEO and lead researcher Kwame Owino.
The report recommends aligning import regulations, enforcing product quality standards, offering tax incentives and skills development for local manufacturers, and encouraging environmentally friendly practices across the industry.
