Kenya and the United Kingdom have joined forces to revitalize Kenya’s cotton industry with a new processing facility in Lamu County, set to enhance production, create jobs, and curb reliance on textile imports. The initiative, backed by both governments, Thika Cloth Mills, and private investors, will see construction begin immediately, with completion slated for November 2025.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, announced on Wednesday that the ginnery, operated by Thika Cloth Mills, will triple Lamu’s cotton output from 2,000 to 6,000 bales annually and support 5,000 jobs within three years. “The ginnery will boost cotton uptake, increase farmers’ income, create jobs, and provide raw materials for the textile industry,” Kinyanjui said.

The facility will source cotton from Lamu, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, and Taita Taveta counties, reducing transport costs and bolstering local farmers’ earnings. It aims to strengthen Kenya’s textile sector and drive economic diversification by supplying local industries with raw materials.

British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, Ed Barnett, emphasized the UK’s commitment to sustainable growth through the project, part of the UK’s Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) programme. “This project is a testament to the power of partnerships – the UK, national, and county governments have joined forces with the private sector to deliver 5,000 jobs and future economic growth,” Barnett said.

The UK provided seed funding, complemented by contributions from the Kenyan government and Thika Cloth Mills, with Lamu County providing the land. The facility is expected to cut carbon emissions by 262 metric tonnes annually by reducing transport needs and promote gender equality, with at least 50% of jobs reserved for women.

Kenya’s cotton industry currently produces just 3,000 bales annually against a national demand of 140,000 to 260,000 bales. The new ginnery aims to bridge this gap, fostering a robust domestic industry and unlocking trade opportunities both locally and globally.