The Institute of Economic Affairs Kenya (IEA) and the Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) have released a landmark report titled A Future Look at the Apparel and Footwear Industry in Kenya (2022–2037), offering a fresh vision for the future of Kenya’s clothing sector and outlining a uniquely African blueprint for growth.
The evidence-based report is the most comprehensive study of Kenya’s apparel landscape to date. It concludes that the second-hand clothing (Mitumba) trade and local apparel manufacturing are not in conflict but can coexist and complement each other to serve distinct market segments. As Kenyan incomes rise—projected to double by 2037—both sectors are expected to experience increased demand.
“Kenyan consumers are hybrid buyers,” said Teresia Wairimu Njenga, Chairperson of MCAK. “While Mitumba provides affordable options for millions, a growing middle class is driving demand for new, locally produced apparel. The future of our textile industry is about strategic coexistence, not competition.”
According to the report, Kenya imported 177,000 tonnes of second-hand clothing in 2022, supporting nearly 2 million livelihoods and generating Ksh 12 billion (approximately USD 100 million) in tax revenue. Mitumba’s role in reusing and upcycling
