The government has taken a significant step toward strengthening economic empowerment in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) by advancing the operationalisation of the Isinya Leather Aggregation Centre in Kajiado County.
Speaking after chairing a high-level meeting on the project, Principal Secretary for the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development, Kello Harsama, CBS, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting value addition, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods in underserved regions.
“This is a key step in our commitment to value addition, job creation, and economic empowerment in the ASALs. The government is focused on transforming local livelihoods,” PS Harsama said.
The meeting brought together a range of key stakeholders, including Ewaso Ng’iro South Development Authority Managing Director Ngala Oloitiptip, Kajiado East MP Hon. Kakuta Mamai, and Rev. Naftaly Lemooke, among others.
The Isinya Leather Aggregation Centre is expected to play a transformative role in unlocking the economic potential of Kenya’s leather value chain, especially in pastoralist communities where livestock rearing remains a primary economic activity.
Once operational, the facility will offer aggregation, processing, and possibly semi-finished leather production, creating new markets for local herders and entrepreneurs.
The government’s push aligns with broader national efforts to stimulate industrial development in rural and arid regions through value chain enhancement and targeted infrastructure investment.
The leather centre is also anticipated to create employment opportunities and promote skills development in the leather and hide processing industry.
As the government works with local leaders and development partners to fast-track the implementation of the Isinya Leather Centre, it is hoped that the initiative will serve as a model for similar projects across other ASAL counties.