By: John Kariuki
When we talk of leather, we automatically resonate with the strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides. In Kenya, the full exploitation of the potential of leather as a key resource is in high gear. This is because the Government is alive that Kenya’s economic transformation depends significantly on growth in value addition of the raw materials, such as leather, and expansion of manufacturing across key value chains.
In light of this the Government is establishing the Kenya Leather Industrial Park (KLIP) in Kenanie, Machakos County as one of the interventions for value addition and manufacturing, to push the annual contribution of the leather industry from the current 15 Billion shillings to 175 Billion shillings and industry jobs from 17,000 currently to 100,000.
When the Mount Kenya Times reached out to the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Leather Development Council Dr. Issack Noor, this is what he had to say:
“in line with our recently launched Kenya Leather Development Policy (2023) and the Council’s Strategic Plan (2023-2027), we welcome the Government’s commitment and resolve to transform the leather sector into a cornerstone of economic growth. This initiative is part of the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and is set to unlock immense potential in job creation, value addition, and export growth. By 2027, we aim to increase jobs in the leather industry from 17,000 to 100,000 and inject Ksh 130 billion into our GDP, up from the current Ksh 15 billion.”
This Strategic Plan (FY 2022/23 – 2026/27) will guide the Council’s operations as it identifies the measures required to support the delivery of its mission and realization of its vision by delivering on the strategic goals. The Strategic Plan provides the Council with the necessary framework to drive the growth and development of leather industry for socioeconomic transformation.
The Strategic Plan will guide the Council in delivering efficient and effective services as it provides for various Strategic activities to be undertaken as per the implementation matrix. This will form the basis for performance contracting in the Council as well as foster the facilitation of the development of the leather industry. I wish to thank the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoA & LD) and KLDC Board of Directors for providing guidance in the development of this Strategic Plan (2022/23 – 2026/27).
In Kenya, the leather industry is among the economy’s oldest and most resilient sectors. Between the 1970s and early 1980s, the sector’s performance was such that its footwear production accounted for over 80% of national footwear demand and its exports were among the top 5 foreign exchange earners. Despite these earlier gains, the sector has yet to fully realize its potential which is based on one of the highest livestock populations in Africa with a capacity to sustainably supply raw hides and skins necessary for robust leather and leather products manufacturing.