'Kenyan govt committed to revive textile industry'

15 Apr '14

2 min read

The Government of Kenya is committed to revive the textile industry in Kenya, Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed has said, reports Kenya News Agency.

Making a tour of Rivatex East Africa Limited, located in Eldoret town of Uasin Gishu County, Mr. Mohammed said the Government shall channel funds to the sector to build new textile factories and also expand the existing ones.

The Kenyan textile industry collapsed in the 1980s, mainly due to the increasing import of second-hand clothing, which led to loss of employment in the sector. Subsequently, cotton production also fell as farmers abandoned the crop.

Mr. Mohammed said the textile sector was a priority for his Ministry, as the sector has a huge potential. He added that the Government plans to address the problem of low yields and raise awareness among farmers about marketing their product.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, Kenya has potential to produce large quantities of cotton, not only for domestic consumption but also for export. He informed that there are plans to buy cotton seeds that give high yields.

Acknowledging that the high cost of power is affecting industrial production, Mr. Mohammed said his Ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy, has devised a plan to raise electricity production.

He urged both Kenyan and foreign investors to capitalize on the potential of the sector and develop textile industries in the country, which will create new employment opportunities for Kenyan citizens.

There is a huge market for Kenyan textiles through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), he said.

Jackson Mandago, Governor of Uasin Gishu County, who accompanied Mr. Mohammed on the tour, said Rivatex has the capacity to manufacture linen that can be used for the production of uniforms for all national schools. He was of the opinion that expansion of Rivatex and other similar companies can generate new jobs and benefit the economy.

Governor Mandago also urged Kenyan universities to undertake research and training, as done by Moi University for the development of Rivatex.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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