The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KNCCI) directors have urged pastoralists to exploit the potential of leather industry to generate wealth for pastoralist communities.
During a tour of the Ewaso Nyiro leather industry in Narok South Sub County, the North Eastern Region Director of KNCCI Abdillahi Abdi Hersi said the leather industry in Africa generates up to USD 100 billion per year, which Kenya should tap into so as to raise the economy of the pastoralists.
Hersi said KNCCI is ready to partner with the facility so as to increase production of leather products to meet the increasing market demand. He regretted Kenya’s leather is undervalued in the global market, prompting calls for sensitization and capacity building among herding community to achieve the target.
The North Rift NCCI director Stanley Baskwony pointed out a need for public-private partnership in boosting the production at the leather factory so as to increase production. “The leather industry’s success hinges on the collaboration of all stakeholders, including the business community and the government,” he said.
Ewaso Nyiro South Development Agency (ENSDA) Chief Executive Officer Ngala Oloitipitip asked farmers to form groups and register with the organization so that they can easily sell their leather products in the factory.
“The farmers’ groups should register with us to facilitate easy purchase and payment of their products. Thus, we encourage the farmers not to throw away skins and hides when they slaughter their animals,” he continued.
The CEO also called on farmers to stop branding their animals on the skin as it lowers the quality of the leather products. The Sh. 1 billion facility started operations five years ago and is expected to be a game changer in the pastoralists’ community as it will boost returns from the sale of livestock.
