Traders selling second hand clothes in Kibera have asked the government not to ban mitumba because many Kenyans will be jobless in the country.
Many traders who sell mitumba do the business since they lacked job opportunities and, therefore, decided to engage in selling second hand clothes earn a living.
Mitumba are also sold at an affordable price as low as from sh10.
Speaking this morning at DC market, Walter Munya a second hand clothes trader said that there have been rumours spreading that mitumbas will be banned by the government soon in the markets and this will make so many Kenyans especially young entrepreneurs to lose jobs as many of the traders sell mitumba.
“I sell Mitumba since I find it easy for me. I am surprised to hear rumours that the government has intentions to ban mitumba business. My question is, is the government going to give us jobs now that it wants to ban our business?”, he asked.
“Mitumba are cheap and many people prefer buying cheap things to save money. If mitumba is banned, people will find it expensive to buy clothes. Cases of insecurity will rise as many people who depend on the mitumba business will be involved in illegal activities", stated Munya.
Everline Achieng’, a mitumba trader, said many people ventured in the business to earn a living and if the business is shut down, many people will suffer as they depend on the business.
“People with a low income will not afford buying expensive clothes and shoes. The government should not ban the business in the country since traders also pay taxes and revenue,” she said.