In Summary
- They say shoe importation ban will kill Mitumba industry.
- CS Kuria says ban will take effect next year 2024.
Mitumba traders in Gikomba have now slammed Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria over his plans to ban importation of shoes in the country.
The traders says sentiment by Kuria are uncalled-for and geared to kill Mitumba industry.
Kuria is of the view that the only way to save local leather industries is through ban on importation of shoes.
“We want to make it clear that his sentiments are not building anything but destroying the Mitumba industry right..for example I have traded on imported Mitumba shoes for about two decades and I can assure you that I have been able to school my children and feed my family with just selling these shoes where do you want us to go?.Kuria must shape up or else we shall take our petition to parliament so that he can be impeached.” Collins Juma Gikomba trader told Ghetto Radio News.
They have called on President William Ruto to tame Kuria’s bad policies in the ministry failure to which he will bring down the industry.
“He must just leave shoes alone because this Mitumba shoes they are loved because of decency and affordable prices when you kill that what are you doing..let’s have both but not killing one at the expense of the other.” Another trade said.
Kurias’ Directive
Meanwhile Kuria has stated that the ban will take effect by 2024 to help local leather industries grow.
He said this while opening up a leather industry in Laikipia County.
“Kuanzia mwaka ujao hakuna kuimport tena viatu kutoka nje… viatu itakuwa inatoka hapa Laikipia na yule hataki kuvaa kiatu ya Laikipia sii atembee bila viatu basi…Mnyama mmoja kiatu 20, 60k animals will give us 1.2million pairs of shoes every month.” he said.
