Monday, June 6, the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga unveiled a 10-point agenda for the country including the streamlining of the Mitumba industry.
While promising to improve the textile industry, the former prime minister regretted that people have resorted to wearing clothes coming from outside the country and probably were worn by people who are already dead.
The ODM leader, who is making his fifth attempt, at the presidency promised to ensure that people involved in the importation of Mitumba have good products to sell
But the Kenya Kwanza alliance presidential flag bearer William Ruto has come out to criticize Raila Odinga’s plan saying it is only meant to destroy the sector where thousands of people depend on.
Taking on social media on Tuesday, June 8, Ruto said the ODM leader wants to follow in the footsteps of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration which destroyed businesses in the name of fighting counterfeit products.
“Trickle-down is dangerous. They branded business people’s merchandise counterfeit and destroyed them.
“Now clothing enterprises are dealers in dead people’s wares to be banned. Bottom-up through TVET will assist these enterprises to grow from sewing, cottage to textile and leather industry.” Ruto said in a Twitter poster.
But in a quick rejoinder, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer quickly reminded Ruto that even him at one point believed in the ban against mitumba.
The ODM leader said, “Ambieni wale majamaa, the internet never forgets” while captioning a video where DP Ruto talks about reforms in the textile sector.
In the video, Ruto is captured saying his Kenya Kwanza alliance government will stop the importation of clothes and shoes into the country as to most of the local manufacturing industry.
