Kenya Imported 185,000 Tonnes Of Mitumba In 2019

The love for secondhand clothes in Kenya is on another level. We call them mtumba or mitumba. These secondhand clothes are the heart of every household in Kenya. They have no class and almost everyone has them on. It is no longer a business, but a tradition.

Kenyans love secondhand clothes for various reasons. One, they are one of the most affordable pieces of clothes. One can put on a nice piece of cloth for as little as 20 shillings, sometimes even 10 shillings. Two, they are durable. Secondhand clothes last longer than new ones and that is a fact that scientists have to work on in the future.

For the love of mitumba, the report by Mitumba Association of Kenya in conjunction with the Institute of Economic Affairs shows that Kenya imported 185,000 tonnes of secondhand clothes in 2019. This was equivalent to 8,000 containers.

According to the report, Kenya is one of the largest importers of second-hand clothes in Sub-Saharan Africa because of its use and export to other countries. Kenya not only imports secondhand clothes for use but also exports the same to other neighboring countries.

“The second-hand clothes industry contributes to government revenues. The existence of second-hand clothes is a demand-side issue rather than a supply-side issue. For many people, incomes in the country can only support the buying of second-hand clothes,” said the report.

The nominal value of imports of secondhand clothes into Kenya has risen by 80 percent from 10 billion shillings to 18 billion shillings in six years.

READ: Kenyans Shipped in Mitumba Worth Ksh16.9 Billion in 2018

“What this growth in import volumes shows is that along with the overall economic growth and the rise in incomes, imports reflect the demand for second-hand clothing among Kenyan households and that this industry has supply stability,” said the report.

In 2019, import taxes added up to US $15,000 per 40ft container (equivalent to 24 tonnes). Kenya imported 185,000 tonnes of second-hand clothing in 2019, equivalent to approximately 8,000 containers.

The taxes paid amounted to 12 billion shillings. The secondhand clothing sector contributes to at least 1 billion shillings in revenue per month. The traders also pay business license fees, among other payments to national and county governments.

Apart from revenue generation for the government, they offer livelihoods to almost two million people. The two million people estimated to be in the second-hand clothes industry are employed in more than one sector, such as farming.

“Trading in secondhand clothes can be seasonal, especially in rural areas. Employment covers, handling, alterations and refinements, and distribution of clothing,” the report added.

Analysis at the household level shows the majority of households buy new clothes when required such as at a school or workplace uniforms.

91.5 percent of households buy second-hand clothes worth 1000 shillings and below, and 8.5 percent buy second-hand clothes worth 1000 shillings and above.

74.5 percent of all households bought new clothes priced below 1000, and 25.5 percent bought new clothes priced above 1000 shillings, confirming the price sensitivity of second-hand clothes.

Watch out for the second piece on the Mitumba sector.

READ: Advantages Of Mitumba Business To Kenyans