President William Ruto has said his government will soon introduce punitive taxes on imported furniture in a renewed push to promote local production and protect thousands of jobs in the furniture and timber sectors.
Addressing residents during a public engagement at the Molo Technical and Vocational College in Elburgon, Nakuru County, on Monday, Ruto said Kenya cannot continue depending on foreign-made furniture when it has skilled artisans capable of producing high-quality products.
“Those importing will pay heavy taxes; they will sweat,” he said. “Do those importing want to tell us one cannot sleep on a bed made in Kenya? If they cannot, they better sleep on the floor.”
The president criticised the growing preference for imported household items such as beds, tables, and doors, saying it undermines the potential of young people trained in technical and vocational colleges.
“I have talked to Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui. Why would one go to China or Europe to buy a bed, a table, or a door? That will come to an end. Beds will be made in Kenya; chairs and doors—all of them will be made in Kenya,” Ruto said, amid applause from the crowd.
He added that even raw materials used in furniture manufacturing will be locally sourced to create a complete production chain that benefits Kenyan workers, from tree planting to finished furniture.
“Those who will be making the furniture will also be Kenyan,” he said, noting that his administration’s focus is to transform the country’s production systems and unlock opportunities for local industries.
Ruto’s remarks follow growing concern over the increase in imported furniture despite existing government measures to protect local manufacturers.
A report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the value of imported furniture, bedding, and related items rose to Sh8.69 billion in the nine months ending March 2024, compared to Sh7.68 billion in a similar period the previous year—an increase of 13.1 percent.
This trend has continued despite the government raising import duty from 35 to 45 percent and introducing a 30 percent excise tax through the Finance Act 2023. The policy was designed to discourage imports and stimulate local manufacturing.
Industry experts, however, say the persistence of imports points to deeper challenges facing the local sector, including high production costs, scarcity of affordable timber, and stiff competition from cheaper products, mainly from Asian markets.
Ruto maintained that his administration will support local artisans, vocational institutions, and small manufacturers to enhance quality and scale up production to meet domestic demand.
