The government has announced plans to expand the Ewaso Ngiro tannery’s annual output from 1,200 metric tonnes to 2,400 metric tonnes, doubling leather production capacity.
This increase is equivalent to 4.8 million square feet of leather, hence positioning Kenya as a strong player in the leather industry within the region.
During a site visit to the Ewaso Ngiro tannery and leather factory, Ngala Oloitiptip, Managing Director of the Ewaso Ngiro South Development Authority (ENSDA), detailed updates on the project expansion.
Oloitiptip said that the expansion is ongoing following the installation of new machinery that is set for a test run in December 2024 in readiness for full operation.
He encouraged local suppliers to prepare to meet the factory’s expanded demand for hides, stressing that the facility will require a steady supply to maintain full operations.
“Our goal is to double production capacity, not only increasing output but also enhancing the quality and variety of products available,” Oloitiptip said.
The Managing Director emphasized the fact that the project is financially sustainable, with government backing to ensure successful implementation.
Oloitiptip called on stakeholders to support the ambitious project. He urged the county government to help monitor and improve hide quality and encouraged learning institutions to train future factory workers.
“This expansion will create new job opportunities and drive economic growth, and we need all hands-on deck,” he added.
Engineer Anderson Korir, from the Presidential Delivery Unit and also the secretary to the County Implementation and Coordination Management Committee (CICMC), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing challenges in manufacturing.
“We’re working closely with ENSDA to overcome hurdles like skin quality, and we urge locals to adopt advanced branding methods such as hydrogen branding to preserve hide quality,” Korir noted.
He praised ENSDA management for their dedication to progress in the leather sector, recognising the facility as a key asset for the region’s economy.
Narok County Commissioner Kipketch Lotiatia stressed the importance of adopting modern techniques to maintain hide quality.
“Traditional branding like the use of hot metal rods have compromised skin quality. Transitioning to new technologies is essential for producing hides that meet factory standards and satisfy international demand,” he said.
With all efforts aligned, the expanded tannery is set to become a cornerstone of Kenya’s leather industry, driving local economic growth and establishing the nation as a key supplier of quality leather products in the region.
By John Kaleke
