Hindrances to the Growth of Apparel Industry in Kenya: A Review.

Abstract

Kenya’s textile sector is a significant contributor to the country’s economic growth. However, liberalization of Kenya’s economy at the beginning of 1990s ushered in great competition from imported clothing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the challenges that hinder growth of apparel industry in Kenya. A review of secondary data, on studies related to impact of the various challenges on the Kenyan textile sector was undertaken. The reviewed studies included published reviews and research papers in journals, university level dissertations, theses and published books. The words used to search the literature included apparel, apparel industry, apparel sector, development, Kenya, Kenya cotton farming, impact on apparel industry, apparel import and exports. It was established that inadequate supply of skilled labor and raw materials restrict growth of this industry. Thus, if spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing can be done locally, production process becomes cheaper. The prospect of this industry relying on local produce of cotton fabric is low unless urgent interventions are made. There is therefore a need for the government to support growth of this industry by subsiding production of cotton by local farmers and instituting appropriate taxes on imported fabrics.