I Will Not Ban Importation of Mitumba, Raila Insists

Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga has assured traders that he will not ban the import of used clothes, commonly known as ‘mitumba’, if he is elected president.

Odinga, who is giving his fifth try at the presidency, gave the assurance during a meeting with the national representatives of the Mitumba Association of Kenya, among them importers, distributors, and wholesalers.

“Second-hand trade has uplifted so many people in Kenya, my government will not BAN mitumba but strengthen it,” said Odinga.

The 77-year-old presidential contender told the traders that his remarks on mitumba business during the launch of his manifesto were misrepresented, saying that he intends to rebuild the local textile industry and ensure that dealers in second-hand clothes get the first opportunity to market locally made clothes.

“The first 100 days will focus on three key pillars, economic revolution, social transformation, good governance,” he added,

His sentiments were echoed by his running mate Martha Karua, who accused Deputy President William Ruto’s camp of resorting to innuendo and propaganda on the matter.

She noted that Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency on a UDA party ticket, is on record undertaking to stop the importation of second-hand clothes.

“We are only offering choices to our people. There are those who will choose to continue selling Mitumba and others who will trade locally made clothes. I have seen their leader (William Ruto) on video saying they will ban Mitumba,” she said

Karua said the Azimio government’s main agenda will be to tame runaway corruption which she claimed has deprived Kenyans of their economic freedoms.