Traders can now resume importation and sale of used textiles and shoes (Mitumba) effective immediately, says Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
The reprieve comes following the development of protocols to enhance the protection and safety of traders and users while handling used textiles and shoes to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
“The guidelines provide a framework for enforcing additional safety measures such as cleaning and fumigation of used textiles and shoes at the country of origin before baling, and at the wholesale or retail stores including surrounding areas every day at the closure of business,” Bernard Njiraini, Managing Director, KEBS said In a press release yesterday.
The new protocols also require, among other factors, all importers of used textiles and shoes to register with KEBS and identify the country of origin of the bales to enable their traceability. Besides, clearance of used textiles and shoes shall only be undertaken through the Kilindini port and the Inland Container Depot Nairobi (ICDN).
“We urge importers, dealers, and buyers of used textiles to adhere to the guidelines provided in the protocols,” he adds.
Based on research and new knowledge corroborated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among other research organizations, the guidelines are a culmination of several weeks of research and consultations by KEBS with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Enterprise Development, and the Ministry of Health, the statement said.
KEBS suspended the importation of used garments and footwear, popularly known as “Mitumba”, early this year following the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the WHO. This precautionary measure was taken with the main objective of safeguarding handlers and users of used textiles and shoes from any risk of exposure to the CoronaVirus as the world grappled with the fast-spreading pandemic.
All used textiles and used shoes intended for importation into Kenya shall be subjected to physical examination and certification under the Pre–export Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) requirements.
Protocols for importation of used textiles and footwear into Kenya released by the government will require importers to clean their consignment and fumigate before baling and imports accompanied by a fumigation or treatment certificate issued by a competent authority in the country of supply.
Examination and certification shall entail inspection of supplier’s sorting and baling premises, verification of fumigation and inspection of packaged shipments by the Pre Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) service provider.
Each consignment, according to the new protocols, must be packed in clear transparent and waterproof materials and each shipment shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the PVoC service provider responsible for inspecting the shipment.
Each package of used textiles or used shoes sold in Kenya shall have a mass in Kilograms that complies with the requirement of the respective standard and the importation of used textiles and shoes will be undertaken through designated ports of entry.
The supplier shall make a self-declaration confirming that a shipment is free from items prohibited by KS EAS 356:2019: Used Textiles – Requirements for Inspection and Acceptance of Used Textile Products.
For the avoidance of doubt, prohibited items include: used nightwear including pyjamas, nightdresses and nightgowns, hospital wear, used bath towels and used undergarments including women briefs, men’s briefs, brassieres, camisoles, socks, stockings and underwear
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data shows that the Mitumba sector contributes Sh17 billion to the country’s economy annually.
According to Charles Kabiru, the chairperson for Kamukunji market traders, out of the 530 people operating in the market, 130 closed shops after running out of stock due to the ban.
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