Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has announced that Kenya will no longer import shoes giving a deadline of 2024.
Speaking during the launch of the Laikipia county Aggregation and Industrial Park on Monday, September 18, Kuria said the move would minimize imports into the country.
Additionally, he revealed that the decision was arrived at following instructions from President William Ruto.
According to the CS, Kenya will be able to produce enough shoes for the market by the time the ban is implemented.
“In our continued efforts to minimize imports as instructed by his excellency the President William Ruto, by next year we will ban importation of shoes and instead produce enough for the market in our County Aggregation and Industrial parks (CAIPS),” Kuria stated.
Kuria on Laikipia Making Billions
Further, the CS explained that Laikipia county will be able to generate more than Ksh6 billion in revenue every year from the sale of products derived from animal skins and hides.
He also stated that the people of Laikipia affirmed that they had enough financial resources to overcome the challenges of difficult financial times.
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“During the Laikipia county Aggregation and Industrial Park launch, we had a candid discussion with the people on the ground on how we will ensure they have money in their pockets to be able to cope with hard economic times,” added Kuria.
Other Products Expected to Generate Revenue from Laikipia
At the same time, the trade CS stated that Laikipia county was well positioned to produce several other revenue generating products through value addition including the cultivation of Soya beans, livestock products, maize, avocados among others.
“Value addition for the produce in the county from Soya beans to Livestock products, to maize and avocado among others will be of great importance to the Laikipia population.
Other leaders present during the launch included Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu and Senator John Kinyua among others.
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Furthermore, the CS had earlier warned that the cost of living would continue to rise, asking them to brace themselves.
According to Kuria, it was a problem that affected the international community as well.