Sh17bn leather city scouts for CEO, contractors

Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed during the launch of the second edition of the SME Handbook at the Laico Regency on October 26, 2015. The CS said that the local leather industry had capacity to contribute up to Sh5.5 billion to the Gross Domestic Product via creation of jobs in Kenya. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA |

What you need to know:

  • The announcement by the Kenya Leather Development Council on Friday said the CEO will revitalise the processing, trade of raw hides and promote the manufacture of leather products across the country.
  • The government has invited bids for the development of infrastructure at the industrial park which will be based at Kinanie, in Machakos County.
  • The Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed said that the local leather industry had capacity to contribute up to Sh5.5 billion to the Gross Domestic Product via creation of jobs in Kenya.

The proposed construction of a Sh17 billion leather industrial park looks set for take off with candidates invited to fill the post of chief executive officer.

The announcement by the Kenya Leather Development Council on Friday said the CEO will revitalise the processing, trade of raw hides and promote the manufacture of leather products across the country.

At the same time, the government invited bids for the development of infrastructure at the industrial park which will be based at Kinanie, in Machakos County.

The CEO would also establish strategic ties with local and foreign stakeholders with a view to regulating all activities and ensure that a conducive environment in the leather industry.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

In an earlier statement, Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed said that the local leather industry had capacity to contribute up to Sh5.5 billion to the Gross Domestic Product via creation of jobs in Kenya.

He said the potential of the industry was evidenced by the heavy demand for raw leather where Kenya produced a paltry four million units annually while importing 24 million units.

The CEO will also recommend strategic measures to be taken from time to time to help the leather industry thrive via growth of a local and foreign market for leather products.

The leather industry remains largely unregulated with many players lamenting the importation of second hand leather products had adversely affected the demand for genuine locally made leather products.