This archive report was first published on 26 August 2020.
Published on August 26, 2020, Esther Kimani's journey in the Kenyan manufacturing sector has been nothing short of remarkable. With years of experience working for various companies that manufacture non-alcoholic beverages, she decided to venture into the garment industry.
Kimani started Trendy Links, a garment firm with roots in Nakuru town, which has grown to accommodate a technical and vocational training school. The growing manufacturing sector, which has earned many incentives from the government, became too attractive for her, and she wanted her bigger chunk of its returns.
Today, Trendy Links has become a leading player in the textile and apparel market, offering quality products that cater to the needs of its clients. The firm's main clients are school uniform retailers, the Kenya Scouts Association, and corporate firms.
Kimani's decision to venture into the garment industry was driven by her desire to identify a need or service to supply or provide. She saw a gap in the textile and apparel market and stepped in to fill it. With a stitching plant based in Bahati, Nakuru County, in 2016, Kimani leveraged on the latest technologies in the industry.
As the venture took off, Kimani decided to incorporate a training college, Trendy Technical and Vocational Training Centre, which offers skills in textile manufacturing. The centre has been instrumental in providing training to employees of the Kitui County Textile Centre (Kicotec), with whom Trendy Links partnered to train its personnel in a hands-on skill acceleration programme and machine installation.
Kimani's firm has also been producing Personal Protection Equipment (PPES) since the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the way of doing business. The firm is currently producing 20,000 pieces of PPES.
When asked about the impact of the mitumba (second-hand clothes) business on the manufacture of local garments, Kimani emphasized the need for local entrepreneurs to be given incentives that will see the country become self-reliant while supporting the Big Four Agenda. She noted that purchasing raw materials from local companies is one way of boosting the local economy.
However, Kimani acknowledged that the playing field needs to be levelled, with restrictions on cheap imports and promotion of locally manufactured quality products. This, she believes, will enable Kenya to regain its position in the textile and apparel market.
