President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to prioritise locally manufactured products, saying increased consumption of Made-in-Kenya goods will strengthen local businesses, create jobs and accelerate the country’s industrialisation agenda.
Speaking during the opening of the Industrialisation Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Ruto said supporting local manufacturers would ensure more wealth remains within the country while creating economic opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.
The Head of State emphasised the importance of value addition, noting that Kenya must move away from exporting raw materials towards producing finished goods that can compete in regional and international markets.
“Every locally made product we buy strengthens Kenyan businesses, creates employment opportunities, opens markets for our farmers and ensures that more value and wealth remain within our economy,” Ruto said.
He added that the government was deliberately pursuing reforms aimed at transforming the country’s manufacturing sector by encouraging local production and processing.
“By processing more of what we produce and producing more of what we consume, we are creating greater economic opportunities locally,” he stated.
The President further noted that the reforms undertaken by his administration were beginning to yield positive results, with more entrepreneurs and farmers embracing value addition, expanding their businesses and increasing earnings across agricultural and industrial value chains.
The Industrialisation Summit, held alongside the Changamka Shopping Festival, has brought together 400 manufacturers and innovators to showcase locally produced goods and promote the consumption of Kenyan products.
Ruto reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening local manufacturing as part of its broader economic transformation agenda, urging Kenyans to embrace the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya campaign.
The initiative seeks to promote locally manufactured products, expand domestic industries and position Kenya as a competitive producer in regional and global markets.
