Secondhand clothes, mitumba, traders in Kiambu have pleaded with the government not to ban the clothes saying this will render many jobless.
This is after reports emerged that there are intentions to ban the trade across East Africa nations.
Speaking on Monday in Ruiru Market, Biashara Traders’ chairperson Derrick Kinyua, said many people are employed in this sector and if banned many families will suffer.
"Due to high unemployment rates in Kenya, many people has ventured in this business as their way of earning daily bread. If the importation of mitumba is banned many families will suffer," said Kinyua.
Kinyua also added that the effects will be across the board.
"Parents will not meet basic needs for their families, children will drop from school, security will decline as a result of jobless youth and even the revenue to the government in terms of taxes and duties will dwindle."
Mary Wahu, a mitumba trader and a mother of three, said many Kenyans has little disposable incomes and will not afford to acquire expensive locally made clothes.
"Many Kenyans have little income and only afford cheap second-hand clothes and shoes," said Wahu.