From 2027, You Will Only Wear Kenyan Shoes- Ruto

President Ruto outlined the government's strategic plans to eliminate the annual importation of 15 million pairs of shoes.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jun 1, 2024 - 15:42
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From 2027, You Will Only Wear Kenyan Shoes- Ruto
Photo of a schoolboy dressed in black shoes and grey socks. /X

President William Ruto has announced that Kenya will put an end to shoe imports by 2027 in what is viewed as a statement of intent by the government to revive the domestic leather industry, thus creating thousands of jobs.

Speaking on Saturday, June 1 during the 61st Madaraka Day celebrations in Bungoma County, President Ruto outlined the government's strategic plans to eliminate the annual importation of 15 million pairs of shoes.

He indicated that his government's commercialisation agenda prioritises leather, dairy, and red meat value chains, supported by projects like the Livestock Commercialisation Project, which aids 11,000 vulnerable youth and women-led households in 10 counties.

President William Ruto inspects a guard of honour during the 61st Madaraka Day, Masinde Muliro Stadium on June 1, 2024. /PCS

"We are invested in developing our leather sub-sector to support competitive export industries supporting many thriving enterprises and households.

"In this connection, we have committed to implement strategies aimed at increasing incomes from Ksh15 billion to Ksh120 billion a year, multiplying job opportunities from 17,000 to 100,000 and raising annual footwear production from the current 8 million to 36 million pairs worth Ksh72 billion by 2027," he announced.

President Ruto's government has also announced a significant financial commitment of Ksh400 million to upgrade the Ewaso Ng’iro South Development Authority’s leather factory to meet the demand met by shoe imports.

Out of this, Ksh200 million will be used to acquire state-of-the-art equipment, Ksh100 million for constructing a new footwear factory, and the remaining Ksh100 million used to purchase hides and skins.

"Machinery for increasing processing capacity at the factory has already been procured and installed. To supply quality hides and skins, 703 flayers have been trained, and subsidised flaying equipment provided to 680 slaughter points," President Ruto stated.

The government aims to increase local shoe production from the current 8 million pairs per year to 36 million pairs, generating an annual turnover of Ksh72 billion. This ambitious target is set to boost income from Ksh15 billion to Ksh120 billion annually for Kenyans dependent on livestock for a living and create more than 100,000 jobs, up from the current 17,000.

The leather industry in Kenya has been undergoing a transformation with a strategy launched eight years ago, one that included forming a council to drive the development of local industries and establishing a special economic zone for export-bound leather products.

In 2018, data for the second quarter indicated that imports stood at 5.2 million pairs of shoes valued at Ksh1.1 billion, marking a 7.4 per cent decline from the first quarter, where Kenyans spent Ksh1.3 billion on 5.8 million pairs. Despite the decline, imports rose in the third quarter with 6 million pairs of shoes brought in, reflecting a 17 per cent increase.

In comparison, raw leather exports have over the past three years dropped by 43.7 per cent in the last three quarters, with the lowest reported figure at 4,219 tonnes, earning tanneries Ksh779.3 million.

The increase in shoe imports in 2018, particularly during the third quarter, was motivated by traders preparing for the December festivities and the back-to-school period, with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2018 Quarterly Balance of Payments report showing that traders spent Ksh1.4 billion on foreign-made shoes during this period.

This rise in imports contradicts the efforts of leather industry stakeholders to bolster local cobblers, small and medium enterprises, and major shoe factories to reach the 40 million pairs required annually to meet local demand.

Currently, Kenya imports most of its shoes from China, India, and Turkey. The new import ban is expected to significantly shift this dynamic, fostering the growth of the local leather industry and reducing dependency on foreign markets.

The decision to ban shoe imports is likely to raise eyebrows and comes amidst a declaration by Ruto's government to ban the importation of maize by 2026, both moves aiming to boost local production in the country.

A trader dealing in second-hand shoes in Nairobi. /BUSINESS DAILY