Ruto CS Discloses The Gov’t’s Plan To Impose 25% Taxes On Shoes
Moses Kuria, the Public Service Cabinet Secretary, has revealed the government’s plans to levy a 25% tax on shoe imports.
Speaking on the Obinna Show on Monday night, the CS stated that these taxes are intended to reduce the appeal of importing shoes in favor of local manufacturers.
Kuria also stated that Kenya has ample livestock resources to supply the hides required for shoe manufacturing, highlighting the country’s potential to boost its domestic shoe industry.
“This year, by the way, we are imposing a 25 percent on shoes. If you want to buy from Italy, prepare to pay more,” the CS stated.
“We have skin and have the second-largest herd of cattle that can produce shoes in Africa and right here in Kenya.”
The CS also revealed that while serving in the Ministry of Trade, he levied taxes on imports of products such as cement.
As a result, he celebrated the opening of a clinker factory in West Pokot, which now employs more than 2,800 people.
“We have these huge problems of unemployment and when we keep on importing things from outside denying our country of jobs, we are really sabotaging ourselves,” Kuria added.
“Last year, I put in taxes for imports which are brought in from outside. As a result, a factory for cement was opened up in West Pokot. 2,800 people are employed as a result of deliberate policies that I put there.”
Earlier on June 1, President William Ruto announced his plans to completely ban shoe imports in order to promote local industries in the sector.
During his Madaraka Day speech, the Head of State emphasized that the annual importation of 15 million pairs of shoes was hurting the local leather industry.
He promised to gradually eliminate this practice by 2027.
“Our commercialisation agenda prioritises leather, dairy, and red meat value chains, supported by projects like the Livestock Commercialisation Project, which aids 11,000 vulnerable youth and women-led households in 10 counties,” he stated during the celebrations in Bungoma.
He also reiterated the government’s goal of increasing local shoe production from 8 million pairs per year to 36 million pairs annually.
This initiative seeks to significantly increase revenue generation to Ksh120 billion.
It is also expected to generate employment opportunities, increasing the workforce from 17,000 to 100,000 jobs.
Ruto CS Discloses The Gov’t’s Plan To Impose 25% Taxes On Shoes
