US Rejects Kenyan-Made Clothes Hurting Babies

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled over 100,000 pairs of jeans made in Kenya for babies and distributed at retail outlets in North America. 
According to CPSC, the pairs of jeans meant for toddlers were dangerous and hazardous to the wearers due to some faulty features.
The clothing items were said to have metal snaps that could potentially fall off and choke babies and toddlers. 
In response to the identified safety concerns, retail establishments were instructed to reach out to the parents who purchased the items and facilitate the return process.

        A mother holding her child's hands in hospital.<br>

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        TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Among the 100,000 pieces, 97,400 were sold in the US, and 1,800 were sold in Canada, with each pair going for about Ksh3,600 (USD25).
According to CPSC, these items recalled were sold exclusively at the local store from September 2022 to March 2023.
However, the parents were incentivised with full refunds as retail stores took responsibility for the losses incurred. 
The decision to recall the products was prompted by a specific incident where a snap detached from one of the items, but luckily no injuries were reported. 
In Canada, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibited recalled items from being redistributed, sold, or even given away, as it could potentially damage the reputation of the country. 
This resolute approach is geared towards protecting consumers and aligns with broader efforts to invigorate the textile and clothing industry, breathing new life into the vital economic sector. 
Despite Kenya’s local industry facing numerous challenges, Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria expressed confidence in its growth, boosted by collaborative efforts between the government and other stakeholders. 
Kuria emphasised that more taxes will be imposed on imported items to encourage more Kenyans to focus on producing affordable and high-quality clothing items locally.
Research conducted in 2022 revealed that only five per cent of Kenyans were locally made clothes. Many argued that it was expensive to purchase clothes in Kenya.
A notable factor driving the elevated prices is the scarcity of cotton, an essential resource in cloth production. Interestingly, cotton cultivated in Kenya is exported only to return in the form of expensive fabric. 

        Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria speaking during a meeting with Saudi Arabia investors on July 12, 2023.

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        Moses Kuria