Kenya’s Cotton Revival Plan Yields First Results

Kenya’s cotton production doubled to 26,000 bales in 2023 under the National Cotton Revival Strategy, reversing decades of decline. The government provided subsidized seeds and ginneries in Bungoma, Busia, and Homa Bay. Rivatex Kenya, the revived textile factory in Eldoret, is now processing local cotton into fabric for school uniforms and hospital linen. The plan aims to create 500,000 jobs and save Ksh30 billion in textile imports. Challenges include competition from cheap Asian imports and low yields, but partnerships with Egerton University on hybrid seeds show promise. With AfCFTA, Kenyan cotton fabric could soon enter Ugandan and Tanzanian markets duty-free.