The Kenyan government has recently announced its ambitious plans to rejuvenate the country's cotton industry and enhance the textile sector by significantly increasing cotton production.

In a collaborative effort involving the State Department for Industrialization, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Rift Valley Textile, farmers will receive complimentary chemicals and training to improve crop management techniques and maximize their yields. The government's ultimate goal is to ensure a sufficient supply of raw materials for local textile industries as well as for export purposes.

Presently, the annual cotton output stands at a meager 28,000 bales, which is a stark contrast to the required amount of 140,000 bales. Consequently, the government aims to address the issues plaguing the collapsed cotton value chain. To support this revitalization endeavor, the government has allocated a substantial amount of Sh7 billion to modernize the Rift Valley Textile mills (Rivatex) and resurrect the Luanda ginnery in Busia. Due to the broken cotton value chain, these facilities currently operate below their full capacity, compelling the industry to outsource approximately 80% of its raw materials from India, China, and other East African countries.

The government's initiatives also encompass the establishment of County Aggregated Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across the nation, with a particular focus on the 24 counties where cotton and textiles are poised to become flagship industries.

According to a survey conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the decelerated growth of the cotton industry can be attributed to several factors, including high production costs, intense competition from low-cost imports, insufficient agricultural output, and the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.