President William Ruto has stated that the government will focus on specific value chains to develop industry and create jobs.

According to the President, the discovered value chains offer considerable untapped economic potential and will create thousands of employment.

"We see leather, pyrethrum, cotton, textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals, and edible oils as value chains whose industrialization will accelerate the achievement of our vision for national economic growth and transformation," added the President.

The President spoke at the Economic Dialogue on Value Chains in Nairobi on Friday.


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More than 20 governors, led by Chairperson Anne Waiguru, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry Moses Kuria, and representatives from the private sector, led by KEPSA Chief Executive Officer Carole Kariuki, attended the ceremony.

He claims that despite Africa's third-largest livestock population, Kenya's leather sector needs to perform much below its potential.

"Every year, we import shoes worth $9 billion." Our leather sector has the potential to generate 80,000 jobs and $100 billion in revenue. This is a chasm that must be bridged."

The President urged county governments and the corporate sector to work together to build these value chains.