The County Government of Kakamega is exploring ways to establish a leather manufacturing facility as part of efforts to promote value addition, create employment and also expand local industrial production.
The proposed facility is among leather industry projects planned in ten counties under a national government initiative aimed at strengthening Kenya’s leather manufacturing sector.
Under the arrangement, county governments are expected to provide land, while the national government will develop the necessary infrastructure.
For Kakamega, the project presents an opportunity to move beyond the production and sale of raw hides and skins towards processing and manufacturing finished leather products.
ALSO READ:Taita Taveta Dairy Farmers Eye Bigger Market Through Planned Farmer Led KCC Miritini Plant
Learning from Existing Leather Industries
To understand how such a facility would operate, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism, Angela Silima, led a team of departmental officials on a familiarisation tour of the Training and Production Centre Shoe Industry (TPCSI) in Thika, Kiambu County.
The delegation was taken through the institution’s training programmes and manufacturing processes, offering insights into the skills and equipment required to support leather production.
The team also had a chance to visit the Leather Industrialisation Park in Machakos County, where they were received by Eng. Gilberto Omenga, who explained the facility’s operations and different sections.
The visits exposed the Kakamega delegation to various aspects of leather processing, including waste management, environmental compliance and the technical requirements of running a modern manufacturing facility.
Creating Opportunities for Local Artisans
In her remarks, Silima expressed confidence that Kakamega could establish a leather facility that would support local artisans, create employment opportunities and increase the value of locally available raw materials.
Leather manufacturing offers opportunities across several stages of production, from the collection and processing of hides and skins to the manufacture of shoes, bags, belts and other leather products.
For local entrepreneurs and artisans, access to modern equipment, technical training and production facilities could help improve product quality and open up opportunities in wider markets.
ALSO READ:Years on, Alupe Hospital in Busia Awaits X-ray Installation and Mortuary Completion
Infrastructure and Skills Key to Success
However, the success of the proposed facility will depend on several factors, including a reliable supply of raw materials, access to skilled workers, suitable machinery, markets for finished products and effective environmental management.
The county will also need to clarify how local businesses, particularly the small scale shoemakers and leather artisans, will access the facility and benefit from its operations rather than being left behind.
The initiative places Kakamega among ten counties expected to host leather industry facilities, although the county is yet to announce specific details on the proposed site’s location, construction timelines, production capacity and anticipated employment opportunities.
Leave a Reply