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Originally published by Nation News
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February 4, 2026
5d ago

Kenyans import more shoes as cost of local production increases

Kenyans import more shoes as cost of local production increases

Imports buoyed by high production costs and stringent trade policies in the domestic market...

✨ Key Highlights

Kenya saw a significant increase in footwear imports, rising by 63.42 percent to 18.99 million pairs in the first nine months of 2025. This surge is primarily attributed to high local production costs and challenging trade policies.

  • Footwear imports increased to 18.99 million pairs from 11.62 million in the same period the previous year, according to KNBS data.
  • Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Chief Executive Officer, Tobias Alando, linked the high imports to factors like expensive power, limited access to financing, and raw material unavailability for local producers.
  • Despite the increased volume, the value of imported footwear marginally decreased to Sh5.29 billion from Sh5.36 billion due to forex fluctuations.

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