Second-hand clothing traders in Kenya are calling for a review of import taxes, saying a 35% duty on mitumba risks placing an additional burden on businesses who support millions of livelihoods and provide affordable clothing.
Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya, Chief Executive Officer, Martin Gitau says the import duty rate, which is higher than the standard 25% tariff for finished products under the East African Community framework, warrants reconsideration to reflect the sector’s economic and environmental contribution.
“The taxation of mitumba should be looked at in a way that recognises the unique role this sector plays in our economy and the environment,” Gitau said during the Mashujaa Day Thematic Exhibition Week at Eldoret Polytechnic.
He says mitumba clothing businesses support jobs across importation, wholesale and retail, transport and garment sorting, with women and young people among those who depend on it for income.
Gitau also argued that second-hand clothing helps consumers manage the cost of living by offering alternatives to new garments, while extending the useful life of textiles through reuse, repair and upcycling.
He is calling for a balanced policy that allows second-hand clothing traders and local textile manufacturers to operate alongside each other, rather than treating the two as competing interests.
“Second-hand clothing extends the useful life of garments, provides affordable clothing to millions of Kenyans and supports livelihoods across the country. Our tax policies should recognise these contributions while ensuring that the government continues to collect revenue,” said Gitau.