Kisumu — Efforts are underway to save the transfer of leather tanning equipment from Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) Kisumu to Ewaso Ng'iro South Development Authority (ENSDA) Narok.
KIRDI Director General Calvin Onyango says a transfer note from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development has been placed to them.
Onyango says KIRDI has taken over the matter with their parent Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry so that the transfer should be reversed.
"We have informed our bosses, that is the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary that the equipment are being actively used in Kisumu," he said.
He noted that the leather processing equipment is currently being used by five Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB).
He argued that the MSMEs will be greatly disadvantaged if the equipment are relocated elsewhere noting that they are using the equipment to add value to hide and skins to produce leather.
"We have a leather goods units here, which is used to produce different leather products like belts, shoes and bags," he said.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu on Friday at the KIDRI Centre along Kibos Road, Onyango assured residents of Kisumu that the equipment will not be moved out.
Onyango noted that the technical advice KIDRI will issue to the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry will have the decision reversed.
"The equipment is here to stay and we will expand it to offer many opportunities to locals," he said.
One of the reasons why the equipment was to be moved to Narok was because it is underutilized, a statement that has been downplayed by KIRDI.
"We are in communication and discussion with the County Government of Kisumu to actually look for new opportunities of how we can utilize these equipment to improve value addition to hide and skin," said Onyango.
The Kenya Kwanza Government has prioritized leather sector development as an economic transformation agenda.
Riding on the State's agenda, the Department of Livestock is implementing the plan through enhancing collection, preservation and delivery of hides and skins to tanneries.
The State Department of Livestock has identified ENSDA in Narok as the focal point for supporting the government's plan by processing the delivered hides and skins, thus the call to have the equipment relocated.
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Kisumu County Committee Executive Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries Kenneth Onyango says the transfer matter has caused anxiety among the people of Kisumu.
Onyango says KIDRI has been instrumental in offering incubation centers for MSMEs who in turn use the knowledge to expand and prosper in their businesses.
"I am happy the DG has assured us that the equipment are here to stay, now I want to call upon our people to use this institution as a talent development in many fields," he said.
Onyango noted that Governor Anyang Nyong'o is keen to help incubate business ideas and KIRDI is the partner and he would not wish to have the equipment transferred elsewhere.
The Ministry of Industry and Enterprise Development constructed the leather tanning and processing industry at KIRDI in Kisumu as a cost of Sh. 1.9 billion in the year 2016.
