New Report Launch Backs Mitumba as Economic Powerhouse

The Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) has launched a new economic report showing that Kenyans spend more on new clothes than on used clothing, despite the second-hand trade being a major contributor to the country’s economy.

According to the Economic Survey 2025, Kenya imported Ksh 60 billion worth of new clothes in 2024 compared to Ksh 28 billion in used clothing.

The report, A Future Look at the Apparel and Footwear Industry in Kenya (2022–2037), authored by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), emphasizes Mitumba’s crucial role in livelihoods, revenue generation, and environmental sustainability.

The study reveals that over two million Kenyans mostly women, youth, and informal traders depend on Mitumba, which also generates Ksh 12 billion annually in tax revenue. Contrary to popular belief, the availability of used clothing is not responsible for the decline of domestic textile companies.

“Used clothes are not a threat they serve a different market. The goal is coexistence, not competition,” said IEA CEO Kwame Owino during the launch in Nairobi.

MCAK Chairperson Teresia Njenga added, “We celebrate Mitumba’s role in driving economic growth and inclusive employment, while keeping Kenya fashionably ahead.”

The report urges policymakers to embrace a liberalised framework that supports both local manufacturing and second-hand trade, citing Pakistan as a model for balancing textile exports with Mitumba imports.

It also highlights Mitumba’s role in reducing textile waste, making it a driver of environmental sustainability.

Mitumba Trade: A Pathway to Industrial Growth and Inclusive Prosperity.

By Sharon Atieno