Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has termed as unfortunate Raila Odinga's proposal to stop sale of mitumba.
Waiguru said it is regrettable that Azimio coalition was planning on closing down the business while it is a key source of income for millions of Kenyans.
She said the spirit of the Kenya Kwanza coalition is to uplift the ordinary citizens and as such will play an integral role in boosting their businesses should they win.
Waiguru spoke in Ndia on Wednesday.
The county chief said she has in the recent past led by example in promoting the mitumba industry when she started a 60-day campaign of dressing in thrift stores wear after which she would post on social media.
“I started this campaign to promote Kenyans in that industry,” she said.
“As Kenya Kwanza, we believe that if we uplift the small enterprises from the bottom part of the economic status, we are doing it for our country.”
While unveiling his manifesto, Raila said the sector was to blame for the degradation of the local textile industry enabling the importation of mitumba products.
He said should he win, he would ensure that those selling mitumba would get the first opportunity in manufacturing and marketing locally made goods.
“Our people are putting on clothes from outside the country which have been worn by dead people. We will revive primary production so that those selling mitumba can have good products to sell locally,” he said.
Waiguru refuted propaganda that there would be voter apathy across the Mt Kenya region on August 9 because the region will not have a prominent presidential candidate.
She said a majority of the electorates are behind DP William Ruto’s candidature and will back Ruto up to the last minute.
She said UDA was still the people's favourite party and would harvest the majority of the seats in the country.
Waiguru said unlike other parties, UDA had done its due diligence and in the spirit of fulfilling the regional balance, all key county elective seats were spread out fairly.
“We don’t want to lock any constituency out, that is why all the seats have representatives from all the four constituencies within Kirinyaga,” she said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
