The second-hand cloth trade in Kenya is a vital source of employment, providing livelihoods for approximately 2 million people, according to Reuters. Consequently, there is growing resistance within the country against the EU's proposed ban.

The EU's export of 1.4 million tonnes of used textiles in 2022, as reported by UN trade data, has more than doubled since 2000. France, Denmark, and Sweden argue that a considerable portion of these exported textiles end up as waste in developing countries, exacerbating environmental pollution.

To address these concerns, the three countries advocate for applying the Basel Convention to used clothes, which would ban exports of hazardous textile waste and mandate informed consent for importing textile waste.

Denmark's deputy permanent representative to the EU, Soren Jacobsen, emphasized the need to halt the environmentally harmful practice of exporting textile waste. Meanwhile, France's deputy permanent representative to the EU, Cyril Piquemal, underscored the aim of promoting textile recycling within the EU.

In response to these proposals, Teresia Wairimu Njenga, chair of the Mitumba Consortiumz Association of Kenya, voiced strong opposition. Njenga highlighted the crucial role of imported second-hand clothes in sustaining the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans and contributing to the country's tax revenue.

Denying claims that imported second-hand clothes contribute to pollution, Njenga asserted that dealers only purchase good-quality items. She emphasized that suppliers offering substandard goods are promptly rejected.

In a proactive move to safeguard the industry, Njenga has embarked on diplomatic engagements with influential stakeholders to counter the proposed ban. She has engaged officials in Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden, advocating against the detrimental impact of the ban on Kenya's economy and the livelihoods of its citizens.

As Kenya's second-hand cloth dealers rally against the looming threat posed by the EU's proposed ban, their resilience and advocacy underscore the significance of this industry in the country's socio-economic landscape.