Kenyan Leather Council CEO Charles Ndung’u has expressed frustration about the lack of support for the country’s footwear industry.

Kenya produces 18 million square feet of leather annually and a reported 200 million pairs of shoes, but relies on footwear imports from Taiwan and China.

“More than 80% of our leather shoes are imported, including most of those marketed by Bata,” he told reporters.

 He added that shoe manufacturers struggle to source durable soles in Kenya, which is offputting for investors, and hides and skins are often smuggled out of country.

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