Gov’t seeks to end importation of shoes as Ruto commissions Ksh.1.5B leather factory

The leather industry has received a major boost following President William Ruto's commissioning of the Ksh.1.5 billion Ewaso Ng'iro Tannery and Leather Factory in Narok County.

The President said the tannery is a government flagship project aimed at strengthening Kenya’s leather value chain through local processing and manufacturing.

He pointed out that his administration is keen on stopping the importation of shoes into the country and instead embrace value addition to the already available raw materials.

"We want to discourage importation of shoes from other countries and instead embrace value addition of our hides and skins," President Ruto said.

He added: "By importing shoes, we are denying our youth job opportunities. We want to make sure that we add value to our locally produced products."

Addressing wananchi at the tannery, the President said Ksh.400 million will be set aside to mop up hides, acquire the necessary equipment, and expand footwear production.

"I want to agree with the management of this factory that another Ksh.400 million is needed to further strengthen operations in this facility," he said.

The President therefore urged pastoralists to improve their hides and skins and adopt techniques that enhance the quality and marketability of their products.

He said poor techniques can lead to lower quality products, consequently affecting prices and opportunities for pastoralists.

"Flaying of our hides and skins should be done professionally to improve quality," President Ruto said.

He pointed out that the government is focusing on industrialisation, value addition, and job creation in the leather industry.

The tannery has been upgraded to handle 4,800 metric tonnes of hides and skins annually up from 1,200 metric tonnes, translating into 4.8 million square feet of finished leather.

The Ewaso Ngiro Tannery and Leather Factory will create 150 direct jobs and more than 3,000 indirect jobs across the supply chain, from livestock farmers, abattoirs and MSMEs in footwear and leather goods.

Earlier at Suswa and Ntulele trading centres in Narok East Constituency, President Ruto opened two modern fresh produce markets, the first to be completed by the government under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The urged Kenyans to ignore critics and naysayers spreading falsehoods that his government is yet to achieve anything.

"The journey to our national transformation will not be completed in one week, a month or even a year. But by 2027, I will have discharged my commitments and responsibilities to the people of Kenya," he said at Suswa.

He explained that the plan is to build 400 fresh produce across the country, and said 260 markets are already under various stages of completion.

Governors Patrick Ntutu of Narok and Joseph Lenku (Kajiado) said the Maa community will continue to support the leadership of President Ruto because it is inclusive and transformative.