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I guess the problem is that the tree where the raw material is sourced is largely available in China. Not sure though
But there are some made in Kenya too… so, it cannot be because we do not have the raw materials here!
Repackaging? Apparently, Kenya does not have sufficient Bamboo to support all year production. China has plenty
There are fundamental issues that need to be addressed… For example if it can only be made from Bamboo, can’t we grow enough bamboo trees in Kenya? Why should we spend scarce dollars to import this stuff and many others that can be made here?
This a good investment idea. Bamboo will get in demand in the years to come. There is a guy who based his PhD on bamboo production in some area. His topic was. “Stochastic modelling on Bamboo production”. He also got some good funding. One of the issues he highlighted in bamboo production was quality. Other than tjis, here is the catch. China has cost effective production processes so they easily edge-out your locally manufactured toothpicks. Did I hear you call for market protection policies, Dr. David Ndii does not subscribe to such so Ruto won’t institute any.
Our costs of production are simply out of this world… It will be impossible to produce our own food soon, leave alone Bamboo… It is for economists like akina Ndii and others to work on models that will get us out of shame… It is shameful to be importing plastic cups, toothpicks, handkerchiefs, match sticks, etc…
Hatuwezi chonga kijiti.
Agreed. But Dr. Ndii only wants privatisation of virtually everything. Capitalists will pursue profit maximisation at all costs. Cost of living? But at least he has been calling for more subsidies to farmers.
We are in for long term experiments… Let us hope that a miracle happens.
It is cheaper to just import. Hapa ile hasara utapata before you break even you can’t recover. Nema will camp at your gate plus Music copyright, Nyumba kumi elder, thieving workers, nssf etc
That is what needs to be sorted out… same way made it possible for common persons to borrow from a commercial bank… by avoiding the Government borrowing from banks…
It is cheaper to import things from China. You can be able to make something in Kenya but you will not make it as fast, as cheaply and with enough customers like the Chinese can. It is better to focus on Agriculture and areas we can have a competitive advantage instead of trying to outdo Chinese.
I know… But even in Agriculture, the Chinese still lead the pack because of their costs and operational efficiency… and markets… so they are way cheaper… So, what must we do to survive? It looks like we’ll soon be slaves of others as our economies are crushed.
There was a ban on logging in Kenya from 2018. It’s been lifted and imposed based on some officials’ mood swings. The moment people start planting bamboo trees and harvesting to sell, the ban will be imposed again.
That’s Kenya for you.
Yet the best our leaders could offer is to have a day of prayers! I believe that with sound leadership, some of these issues could easily be sorted out… and get our economy on the growing trajectory once more!
In kenya bamboo occurs in natural forests and it is illegal to even kuingia natural forests let alone harvest hio bamboo. In China they have bamboo plantations that supply the raw material for the toothpicks. Since kenya doesn’t have commercial bamboo we could focus on plastic toothpicks from the many plastic companies in kenya like kenpoly, teepee etc.
John, pardon