President Ruto Directs Local Leather Industry To Supply Learners With Free Shoes

President William Ruto has announced ambitious plans to manufacture leather shoes locally for all 14 million school-going children across Kenya, leveraging guaranteed domestic demand to revive the country’s leather industry.

Speaking during the Innovation Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Head of State directed local footwear manufacturers to prepare to supply schools nationwide.

“We will now move a step further. We want you to manufacture all the shoes for our school-going children, and we have 14 million of them,” President Ruto stated, framing the initiative as a major driver for youth employment and economic growth.

Decentralizing Manufacturing and Strategic Investments

To support the directive, President Ruto emphasized that the government is decentralizing leather production rather than concentrating operations exclusively in Nairobi.

The strategy relies heavily on the Ksh 5.8 billion Kenya Leather Industrial Park in Kenani, Machakos County—unveiled in September 2026 by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki—which features modern tanning, processing, and manufacturing infrastructure. The government aims to establish satellite ecosystems across counties to ensure regional participation in the supply chain.

This expansion builds on a similar policy implemented in June, when the President issued a strict ban on foreign military and police boots. By October 2026, all security agency footwear was sourced entirely from domestic producers.

Tapping Kenya’s Livestock Potential

Despite owning Africa’s third-largest livestock population and ranking 11th globally with approximately 80 million animals, Kenya has historically underutilized its leather potential.

According to data from the World Bank and the Kenya Leather Development Council:

• Kenya ranks 87th globally in leather apparel exports, earning just Ksh 68 million ($527,000).

• The country ranks 101st in imports, spending Ksh 285 million ($2.2 million) on foreign leather products.

President Ruto noted that channeling the local demand of 14 million students directly to domestic tanneries and shoe factories will reverse these trade imbalances and capitalize on Kenya’s vast raw material reserves.