This decision to ban shoe imports follows an earlier declaration to halt the importation of maize by 2026. President Ruto outlined the government’s strategic plans to eliminate the annual importation of 15 million pairs of shoes. The government aims to ramp up local shoe production from the current 8 million pairs per year to 36 million pairs, generating an annual turnover of Ksh72 billion. The increase in shoe imports in 2018, particularly during the third quarter, was driven by traders preparing for the December festivities and the back-to-school period. The new import ban is expected to significantly shift this dynamic, fostering the growth of the local leather industry and reducing dependency on foreign markets.
