Thika Cloth Mills, one of Kenya’s leading textile manufacturers, is spearheading a transformative effort to rejuvenate the country’s cotton industry. Through the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya campaign, the company aims to restore cotton farming to its former glory while enhancing value addition, creating jobs, and increasing farmers’ earnings.
The decline of Kenya’s cotton industry over the years has been attributed to various factors, including the influx of second-hand clothes (mitumba), lack of government support, and inadequate infrastructure. However, Thika Cloth Mills is determined to reverse this trend by fostering partnerships with farmers, government agencies, and cooperative societies.
Strategic Support for Cotton Farmers
The company has embarked on a nationwide tour to key cotton-growing regions, including Siaya and Busia counties. During these tours, Thika Cloth Mills pledged to provide a ready market for farmers at competitive prices. Notably, the company increased the buying price of cotton from KSh52 to KSh72 per kilo, offering a significant financial boost to farmers.
Moreover, Thika Cloth Mills has invested heavily in providing free BT cotton seeds, pesticides, and financial assistance to farmers. Over the past two years, the company has spent KSh70 million on these inputs, a move that has improved production levels and rebuilt confidence among farmers.
In Siaya County, the company revived a small ginnery by purchasing new rollers, while in Busia’s Luanda Samia Subcounty, farmers like Benjamin Onyango have reported renewed optimism about the potential profitability of cotton farming.
“Without Thika Cloth Mills’ intervention, we would not have returned to cotton farming,” said Zedekiah Adul, secretary of the Madiany Ginnery in Siaya. He highlighted how brokers and private ginners had previously exploited farmers, making cotton farming unsustainable.
Enhancing Value Addition
Thika Cloth Mills is also prioritizing value addition by investing in ginneries to improve operational capacity. Functional ginneries enable farmers to separate lint from seeds, unlocking additional revenue streams such as oil and seed cake production. Two ginneries have already undergone inspections, with the company committing resources to ensure they are fully operational.
This integrated approach not only benefits farmers but also strengthens Kenya’s textile value chain. The revival of cotton farming is creating ripple effects across related industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.
Addressing Challenges
Despite the strides made, farmers face significant challenges, including pest infestations, inadequate extension services, and inconsistent government support. Onyango, who tends a three-acre cotton farm, noted that timely provision of seeds and pesticides, coupled with better pest management strategies, would be crucial in sustaining the momentum.
Farmers near Lake Victoria remain optimistic, citing the region’s favorable climate and year-round rainfall. Many are shifting from traditional crops like maize to cotton, drawn by its higher profitability.
To ensure the long-term viability of the cotton industry, farmers and industry leaders are urging the government to prioritize coordinated planning and timely support.
A Catalyst for Economic Growth
The Buy Kenya, Build Kenya campaign extends beyond agriculture. Thika Cloth Mills has secured government tenders to produce uniforms for disciplined forces, including the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), police, prisons, and the National Youth Service (NYS), as well as school uniforms. These contracts provide a stable market for cotton products and further incentivize farmers to grow cotton.
As cotton fields in Busia and Siaya come back to life, the hope of a thriving cotton industry is being rekindled. Partnerships between private industries like Thika Cloth Mills and farmers’ cooperatives are proving transformative, offering farmers a sustainable livelihood and driving economic growth.
A Vision for the Future
Thika Cloth Mills’ initiatives symbolize more than just economic revival they represent the restoration of a critical value chain connecting farmers, industries, and markets. By addressing challenges and fostering collaboration, Kenya is on the path to reclaiming its status as a regional textile powerhouse.
Through the sustained efforts of industry leaders, farmers, and government agencies, the vision of Buy Kenya, Build Kenya is becoming a reality, promising a brighter future for Kenya’s cotton industry.
