Smuggling, poor quality of hides and skins and inappropriate policies are among the challenges that still hinder Kenya from achieving its potential in the leather industry.
Industry players say they are still grappling with illegal exports and have asked the government to intervene.
Reddamac Leather Centre director Robert Njoka on Saturday told the Star these challenges have hampered the growth of the industry.
Reddamac Leather, located on the Eastern Bypass in Nairobi, was established in 2003 to produce high quality shoes, bags, belts, wallets and balls among other items.
"If government agencies intervene and implement appropriate policies, Kenyans will benefit from this industry especially if they promote the Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative," Njoka said.
The leather industry is among the strategic development blueprints in the ruling Kenya Kwanza manifesto, which aims to expand manufacturing so as to create more job opportunities for Kenyans.
Njoka says Reddamac Leather Centre already has over 100 employees with other indirect jobs for suppliers.
"We take pride in our state of the art leather complex which has propelled us to become the leading manufacturer in the industry," the company's head of marketing Maryanne Wanjiru said.
Among the wide variety of products offered by Reddamac leather center are, school shoes that are one of the best sellers in the local market and thus the company has given parents a price reduction from Sh2,200 to Sh1,800 for a pair of REVA school shoes as they prepare for the back to school in January 2024.
Njoka added is happy that the company has been able to produce good quality shoes which everyone can be able to afford.
“Our shoes are of good quality and are durable and it is my wish that Kenyans can purchase the shoes and understand the quality of products that are being produced by our own” he told the press