By Nicholus Nduati
Kenya is facing an acute shortage of shoes with demand surpassing the current production capacity.
This is according to the Kenya Bureau of Standards South Rift regional manager John Wepukhulu who says that the deficit is currently being filled through imports from various countries.
This he says should not be the case since the huge potential for leather production in the country has not been fully tapped.
The country’s annual demand for shoes lies between 24 to 32 million pairs against a production capacity of 4 million pairs according to the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
However, for a country that has a capacity and potential to produce more shoes both for the local and export market, an acute shoes shortage has seen Kenya ranked as the second largest importer of shoes in Africa after Egypt.
KEBS South Rift regional manager John Wepukhulu says the leather sector earned the country 10 billion shs in the last financial year from the 10 million hides and skins produced during the period.
This notwithstanding, potential in the leather sector is still not fully tapped.
Kenya Leather Development Council acting CEO Charles Ndung’u says the council is seeking to increase leather production, noting that the Kenani leather project in Athi River was ready for take-off.
Meanwhile, former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni criticized the National Assembly for passing a Bill that seeks to increase tax on leather meant for export at a rate of 80 % noting that it would spell doom for the Leather sub sector.
Source: KBC
