Thika Cloth Mills, one of Kenya's largest textile industries, is spearheading a bold initiative to revive the cotton sector through the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya campaign.
With a vision to restore
cotton farming to its former glory, the company has embarked on a nationwide
tour of cotton-growing regions, including Siaya and Busia counties.
Thika Cloth Mills has pledged to ensure a ready market for farmers, offering a competitive price of Sh72 per kilo, up from the previous Sh52.
This move, combined with
efforts to revive ginneries and enhance value addition, is breathing new life
into Kenya's cotton industry.
The company's Cotton
Development Manager, Hesbon Olwenyi, revealed that two ginneries have been
inspected, with the company investing in their operational capacity.
"With functional
ginneries, farmers can separate lint from seeds, allowing them to benefit from
additional products like oil and seed cake," said Olwenyi.
This value addition
promises to increase farmers' earnings significantly.
He acknowledged the
challenges posed by the introduction of second-hand clothes (mitumba), which
led to the decline of local textile industries, but expressed optimism that
partnerships between the government, textile companies, and farmers could
revive cotton farming.
Thika Cloth Mills has
been instrumental in supporting cotton farmers by providing free BT cotton
seeds, pesticides, and financial assistance.
Over the past two years,
the company has spent Sh70 million on seeds and inputs, boosting production and
farmer confidence.
In Siaya County, the
company has revived a small ginnery by purchasing new rollers.
Meanwhile, in Busia’s
Luanda Samia Subcounty, farmer Benjamin Onyango is optimistic about his
three-acre cotton crop, which is in the flowering stage.
However, he cited pest
invasions and inadequate government support in providing extension services,
seeds, and pesticides as key challenges.
Zedekiah Adul, secretary
of the Madiany Ginnery in Siaya, lauded Thika Cloth Mills for its unwavering
support.
"Without their
intervention, we would not have returned to cotton farming," Adul said,
highlighting how brokers and private ginners had previously exploited farmers.
The ginnery, which is
being fitted with more rollers and parts, also received some support from the
Siaya County Government, though Adul urged the county to prioritize timely
support to align with farming seasons.
Farmers near Lake
Victoria are optimistic about cotton farming's resurgence, citing the region's
favorable year-round rainfall. Many are shifting from maize to cotton due to
its profitability.
Despite these strides,
farmers stressed the need for improved government coordination, timely
provision of seeds and pesticides, and enhanced extension services to sustain
momentum.
The Buy Kenya, Build Kenya
initiative has also extended to manufacturing.
Thika Cloth Mills has
secured government tenders to produce uniforms for disciplined forces,
including the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), police, prisons, and the National
Youth Service (NYS), as well as school uniforms.
These contracts provide a
stable market for cotton products and create a ripple effect that benefits
farmers.
In Busia, the sight of
cotton fields returning to life is rekindling hope among farmers like Onyango.
While challenges persist,
such as pest management and inconsistent support from local authorities,
partnerships with private industries and cooperatives are proving
transformative.
Farmers now see cotton
farming as a viable livelihood, with many abandoning traditional crops like
maize.
Adul expressed gratitude
for the collaboration between private textile industries and farmers'
cooperative societies.
"This partnership
has reignited the cotton industry. We are finally reaping the benefits of our
hard work," he said.
However, he emphasized
the need for long-term planning by the government to ensure timely support.
The revival of the cotton
industry symbolizes more than economic rejuvenation—it represents the
restoration of a critical value chain that ties farmers, industries, and markets.
As Thika Cloth Mills
continues its efforts, there is growing hope that Kenya will reclaim its place
as a regional textile powerhouse, fulfilling the vision of Buy Kenya, Build
Kenya.
