"Mitumba Killed Our Textile Industry Our People are wearing clothes Won by the Dead" Raila To Kenyans
The Azimio La Umoja- One Kenya Alliance Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga stated on Monday, June 6th that the second-hand clothes commonly known as Mitumba business killed Kenya's textile industry since most Kenyans depend on cheaply affordable wear.
Christine Juma 
Speaking at Nyayo stadium during the Azimio Manifesto Launch, Odinga added that when he ascends to power, he will re-introduce cotton growing in large numbers in the country.
Odinga`s 10-point master plan focused on key areas including agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, education, healthcare, devolution, leadership, and the people.
However, minutes after the launch of his manifesto, his remarks on the second-hand clothes business {Mitumba} drew attention on social media.
“When they brought mitumba, it killed our textile industry. Our people are only wearing clothes coming from outside the country, that have been worn by people who are dead. We will ensure that those who are importing mitumba get the first hand to market goods that are manufactured in this country,” Raila stated.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Running Mate Martha Karua {Left} Azimio La Umoja Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga { Middle} & 'Leo ni Leo' Artist Emmanuel Musindi on the podium during the Azimio Manifesto Launch on Monday, June 6th. PHOTO COURTESY.
Agriculture, Livestock, the blue economy, and ICT will be complementary to the textile promise, which is grounded in the manufacturing agenda, according to the manifesto, as major engines for the anticipated economic transformation and development machinery.
“Manufacturing complemented by agriculture, livestock, the blue economy, and ICT shall also spur and accelerate economic activities including entrepreneurship, economic growth, and sustainable development to create decent and well-paying job opportunities. The manufacturing sector will in turn be spurred by education and knowledge; ICT, research-led technological revolution; efficiency in resource allocation; availability of affordable fuel, energy, transportation, and raw materials; innovative financing and investment; along with revitalized foreign trade and economic diplomacy,” added Raila.
“These sectors shall jump-start and turn around the economy. Global manufacturing technologies are fast changing. This provides an opportunity to invest in emerging technologies that will provide employment opportunities to Kenya’s young population, such as microchips that are already manufactured in Kenya. The manufacturing sector shall produce input materials like steel, copper, and glass for further processing into finished products, and secondary production of goods like engineering manufacturing machinery, transport and agricultural machinery, tools, and implements to be applied in the mechanization and automation of agriculture, livestock, blue economy, mining, and processing,” Raila`s manifesto read in Part.
He also added that in his manifesto, they are going to do primary production in case they win the August 9th polls.
"We are going to do primary production. We will ensure that those who are importing mitumba get the first hand to market goods that will be manufactured here in this country".
Odinga`s 10-point master plan focused on key areas including agriculture, ICT, manufacturing, education, healthcare, devolution, leadership, and the people.
Asection Of Mitumba Traders in Kenyas popular Open Air Market Gikomba. PHOTO COURTESY.
However, his remarks on the mitumba Business has been received different mixed reactions from netizens with others stating that Odinga`s intention is to ban the selling of second-hand clothes, a business that has been helping poor and vulnerable ordinary citizens.
"So Raila was just trying to tell us that he is the one who's been burning down Gikomba market, he wants to get rid of Mitumba, the sector which employs millions of hustlers?.". Manu Koech a Twitter fan stated.
"Raila Odinga needs to apologize to the millions of Kenyans who wear mitumba clothes that were an insult to their livelihoods and dignity".
On the other hand, another section of Kenyans on Twitter added that the one Kenya Alliance leader Raila was right and for Kenya to move forward the business must be terminated.
"Buy Kenya, Build Kenya is a good idea...Mitumba should be Produced in Kenya and not imported ..... Decisions Must Be Made ..... This is a good thing from Raila's Manifesto" a fan added.
Buy Kenya , Build Kenya is a good idea....Mitumba should be Produced in Kenya and not imported .....
— Butula's Finest -Nyapara (@SamMacoha) June 6, 2022
Decisions Must Be Made .....
This is a good thing from Raila's Manifesto......
