New tannery can unlock Kenyan potential
16/09/2009
A new tannery being constructed in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya will help revive the leather sector in the African country, a government official has said.
Professor John Lonyangapuo from the ministry of industrialisation has told local media that adding value to natural resources is the key to unlocking the economic potential of the leather industry in Kenya.
He said the leather industry at the moment contributed around $60 million to Kenya's gross domestic product, but that adding more capacity to produce finished leather from local hides could double that total.
To that end, the ministry is currently constructing a mini-tannery in the Chepareria area of the province, which it believes could have the capacity to "unlock the potential of the region" in producing leather from local hides and skins.
“Livestock keepers in the region can produce up to one million tonnes of hides and skins. The new tannery will add value to their livestock products and enable the farmers fetch better prices for their raw hides and skins,” said Professor Lonyangapuo in a statement.
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