Uhuru: I've no problem with mitumba, but we must manufacture our clothes

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on Kenyans to start thinking about moving from importing second hand clothes, popularly known as mitumba, to manufacturing new clothes.

Speaking on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, President Uhuru said that even though he doesn't castigate the mitumba business, the country would be way better if it shifted to empowering the local textile industry. 

"As a country, we want to move from Mitumba business and be manufacturers not just buying and selling. We don't castigate the business, you know people do business to survive. Imagine how wonderful it would be if rather than becoming importers of used clothes we could make those clothes here," Uhuru said.

Referencing a former mitumba trader in Kisumu who has now shifted her business to manufacturing, Uhuru stated that even though he has no problem with hustling, the nation must aspire to become great.

"Last night I had an opportunity to open a factory owned by a young Kenyan lady, a former mitumba trader, I opened the facility she has developed here in Kisumu, it's magnificent. The lady started a few months ago and she now has 150 employees permanent and pensionable, she now targets to employ 3,000 people by December," he said.

The head of state says that anyone who promotes a culture which promotes a way of thinking that does not encourage the nation, he or she is misleading Kenyans.

"Whereas I have no problem with hustling, it must be as a step towards something greater. But when you want to limit yourself to thinking everyone else is bad and promote a culture and a way of thinking that does not encourage, I think you are taking this country in the wrong direction," he added.

Uhuru says that if Kenya wants to become a wealthy nation, it must do so by creating wealth from scratch.

"A wealthy nation is not determined by how many rich people you have or how much money you have. It is determined by how many jobs you create and how many young men and women you employ. Let us build a brighter, better Kenya for every citizen, where can all share equally in its wealth and heritage."