NAIROBI, Kenya, January 22, 2026 — President William Ruto has firmly ruled out banning second-hand clothing imports (mitumba), saying Kenya will adopt a balanced market approach that protects jobs while supporting textile industrialisation.
Speaking in Nairobi, Ruto said calls for a total ban ignore Kenya’s economic realities and the daily needs of millions of citizens.
“A large section of Kenyans depends on mitumba. Because of that, we must balance the market for new clothing and second-hand clothing,” the President said.
Why Mitumba Still Matters
Mitumba remains the most affordable clothing option for millions of households. More importantly, it sustains livelihoods across the country.
According to government estimates, the sector employs about two million Kenyans, from importers to traders in markets such as Gikomba.
As a result, Ruto said any policy shift must protect jobs, especially in the informal economy.
Textile Growth Will Continue — Without a Ban
At the same time, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding local textile manufacturing.
This growth is anchored in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and private-sector investment. Kenya’s textile industry has benefited significantly from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Earlier this month, the US House of Representatives approved the AGOA Extension Act (H.R. 6500), which now awaits Senate approval.
In 2024, Kenya exported apparel worth about Sh60 billion to the United States, according to the Kenya Export Processing Zones Authority.
Lessons from Rwanda’s Experience
Ruto contrasted Kenya’s approach with that of Rwanda, which banned mitumba imports in 2018.
That decision led the United States Trade Representative to suspend Rwanda’s duty-free apparel benefits under AGOA. As a result, Rwanda’s textile exports took a major hit.
Kenya, by contrast, avoids similar risks by maintaining an open but managed market.
Notably, the United States remains Kenya’s largest textile export destination and also the world’s biggest exporter of second-hand clothing.
A Dual-Track Strategy
The government says Kenya will grow its textile sector without dismantling mitumba trade networks.
Instead, the focus will be on:
- Expanding local manufacturing capacity
- Improving competitiveness of Kenyan apparel
- Protecting jobs and consumer choice
Industry analysts say this approach allows Kenya to industrialise gradually and sustainably.
Related
- How AGOA continues to shape Kenya’s textile exports
- Inside Kenya’s mitumba trade and informal economy
- Ruto’s manufacturing agenda explained
