Wear garments made in Kenya to boost textile industry, Uhuru urges public servants

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday urged all public servants to wear proudly ‘Made in Kenya’ garments to help boost the local textile industry.

Speaking in Eldoret during the commissioning of the ultra-modern textile company, Rivatex, President Kenyatta said that this move was directed at increasing demand for goods produced by the company.

“Beyond government, we must create demand for our own products by actively consuming those products ourselves. Towards this objective, let us encourage each other to proudly wear Made in Kenya garments,” said President Kenyatta.

“For government to lead by example, I urge all public servants to wear at least one piece of garment made in Kenya on Fridays,” he added. It was also noted that the President was wearing a shirt that was made at Rivatex.

While urging Kenyans to create demand for local products by actively choosing to buy local products, President Kenyatta was keen to note that the newly commissioned plant would see at least 3000 youths employed.

The revamped firm is also set to benefit the over 500,000 cotton farmers across the country.

In a bid to ensure the firm starts on a profitable step, the Head of State further directed the Energy Ministry to implement a 50% waiver on electricity bills to the firm.

At the same time, he announced an increased allocation to the area from 33KV to 66KV to ensure stability in power distribution.

President Kenyatta also directed the commercialisation of biotechnology cotton that would see a reduction in the importation of the raw material.

Rivatex was incorporated on June 19, 1975 and was bought by Moi University in the year 2007.

Before going into receivership in 1998 and eventually ceasing operations in the year 2000, the mill used to consume an average of 2,800 tonnes of cotton and 550 tonnes of polyester/viscose resulting in over 15 million metres of fabric per annum.

Before its collapse, it was the leading textile mill in East Africa, with a reputation of producing the best quality fabrics.