Kenya has lifted the ban on the importation of second-hand clothes and shoes. The information was reported yesterday August 16 by Bernard Njiraini, Head of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

In March this year, the Kenyan authorities introduced this restriction to control the propagation of coronavirus on their territory where at least 30,120 people have been affected and 474 died. And five months later, the safety measures and protocols implemented to protect trade actors as part of the fight against the pandemic are now efficient enough to resume the activity, according to the authorities.

“The guidelines provide a framework for enforcing additional safety measures such as cleaning and fumigation of used textiles and shoes at the country of origin before baling and at the wholesale and retail stores including surrounding areas every day at the close of business,” Njiriaini said.

This announcement comes at a time when the crisis has strongly slowed down global economic activity leading to fear of further impoverishment of populations in Africa, notably. In Kenya, the government has revised downwards its 2020 growth outlook from 6.1% to 2.5%.

According to KEBS figures relayed by The Star newspaper, about 35,000 sellers and actors in the second-hand clothing industry and related sectors are being deprived of their livelihoods as stocks run out.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou