Industrialist calls for friendly policies to protect local manufacturers

Thika, Tuesday, June 27, 2023

KNA by Muoki Charles

A Thika-based industrialist has called for friendly policies to protect local industries from collapsing saying continued importation of locally manufactured products was hurting.

Patrick Wainaina, former Thika MP and the proprietor Jungle Nuts Ltd that processes raw macadamia nuts and avocados for export said many industrialists are on the edge of collapse due to the difficult business environment coupled with uncontrolled importation of locally available products.

While noting that the government's intention to cushion its citizens by providing cheap products was welcome, Wainaina said it should not come at the expense of local industries.

He noted that creation of sustainable industries in the country has been a challenge over the years and thus the need to protect the available ones so as to create jobs and economic growth.

He cited Juakali products, sugar, fish, and cooking oil among many products saying their importation hurt local industries.

“What industrialists are going through is a difficult phase which they hope will improve with time. However, further frustrations of bringing in products that they can manufacture will be detrimental and some may close,” Wainaina said.

“The impact of importation is felt by the countries where those industries are based. When we say raw macadamia will be processed in another country, what are we telling local industries that do that? They will close and thousands of employees will be sent home. Now, if creating one job opportunity is a problem in this country, where will those sacked be taken,” he added

He at the same time lauded President William Ruto’s move to increase excise duty on the importation of products that can be produced locally saying it was the right move.

He called on line Ministries to implement those policies so that local manufacturers are protected.

“The president has shown his resolve in protecting local industries through increasing tax on products that can be locally manufactured. He also promised to ban importation of shoes to protect the leather industries. These are the policies that industrialists are looking at,” he said.

Courtesy ; K. N. A