State Finally Lifts Ban on Mitumba Imports

Kevin Namunwa | Aug 17, 2020

Mitumba clothes are set to flock the Kenyan market as the ban on importation is lifted by the state.

In a statement on Sunday, the Kenya Bureau of Standards said the reprieve comes following the development of protocols to enhance protection and safety of traders and users while handling used textiles and shoes to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

Mitumba traders were risking to have to close down their operations if the four-month ban continued.

The traders had already staged demonstrations asking the government to lift the ban since international flights in Kenya had resumed.

International flights to and from Kenya resumed from 1^st August with specific routes only. The resumption of flights gave hope to the traders who were at risk of closing their enterprises.

The second-hand clothes and shoe dealers had not received imports of their stock since the pandemic broke out and the government had to put up restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

The ministry of trade halted the imports four months ago as a measure of stemming the spread of Covid-19. Many restrictions put in place with the government have since been lifted and the traders are positive the ban on imports will soon be lifted.

The Mitumba Association of Kenya called on Trade CS Betty Maina to lift the ban. The Association said that its members are ready to observe all Covid-19 health protocols to ensure all products in the market are safe.

The Mitumba industry serves millions of Kenyans and is key to getting the Kenyan economy back to where it was before

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