Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is set to soon unveil the Kariokor Common Leather factory in a bid to promote locally made leather products.
The facility that is set to officially launch in two months will see the production of a variety of leather material; from belts, shoes to bags and more.
The factory is being constructed in collaboration with the Kenya Leather Development Council.
It is set to see a stretch of effects from creating employment, promoting local leather manufacturers to utilising locally available raw materials.
Nairobi City County Trade minister Allan Igambi said that the new facility has the potential to create about 1,000 jobs.
“Currently the old Kariokor market employs about 1,000 people which is expected to grow tenfold to 10,000 in three years both directly and indirectly through subsidiary jobs,” said Igambi.
Sonko on the other hand poised the factory to have the capability to increase the production of leather material.
“This will go a long way in production of good quality shoes that meet international standards. The facility is expected to have an average annual production growth from the current two million shoes to 10 million shoes. This will increase traders’ annual income to more than Sh1 billion annually by the year 2022,” said Sonko.