The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has refuted claims that it had increased the levy on second-hand clothes (mitumba). The rate for worn items of clothing remains at 35% of the Customs value, and the price stands at Ksh24.35 per kilogram. Initial reports indicated an increase from Ksh24.35 per kg of first-grade mitumba to Ksh109.58. The debate regarding mitumba has been ongoing since November last year when Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria hinted at banning the importation of second-hand clothing.
In a rejoinder, CS Kuria clarified that he had no intention of banning mitumba but rather elevating Kenya’s manufacturing and textile industries. “Kenyan exporters sell them much cheaper than what is available here under Mitumba imports and my point is I don’t need to ban mitumba and I will not ban mitumba, but I will make mitumba not competitive. “I will make sure people are able to buy clothes made in Kenya at cheaper prices. So it is up to me to ensure nobody goes for mitumba and that it dies naturally,” he stated during an interview on Citizen TV’s JKL dated November 2, 2022.
