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, a former Thika MP and the proprietor of Jungle Nuts Ltd., which 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 the 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 the creation of sustainable industries in the country has been a challenge over the years, 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 others, saying their importation hurt local industries.
“What industrialists are going through is a difficult phase that they hope will improve with time. However, further frustrations from 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,” 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 the concerned Ministries to implement those policies so that local manufacturers are protected.
“The president has shown his resolve to protect local industries by increasing taxes on products that can be locally manufactured. He also promised to ban the importation of shoes to protect the leather industry. These are the policies that industrialists are looking at,” he said.
By Muoki Charles
