Chamber of Commerce to manufacture masks at village level

The government has tapped the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to lead tailors at the village level to manufacture standard masks to be bought by government to spur local economy.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, however, directed that the masks must meet the standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs).

This comes as great reprieve for tailors and other fashion designers whose businesses had collapsed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While welcoming the announcement, KNCCI president Richard Ngatia said the government initiative to directly engage the Small and Medium Enterprises will not only save lives but livelihoods and jobs as well.

“We commend the Cabinet Secretary for this great initiative that will spur economy at the local level. There is no doubt the pandemic has caused supply chain disruptions, massive drops in demand in almost all sectors and loss of jobs. As a chamber, we will take up the initiative to see to it that tailors and other textile players at the grass root level are engaged.” Ngatia said.