US Denies Kenyan Clothes
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled more than 100,000 pairs of baby jeans manufactured in Kenya and sold in North American retail outlets.
Due to manufacturing flaws, the CPSC deems baby-sized jeans to be hazardous and potentially dangerous for their consumers.
The clothing items allegedly contain metal snaps that could slide off and suffocate infants and toddlers.
In response to the identified safety concerns, retailers have been instructed to reach out to the parents who purchased the affected items and facilitate their return.
Each pair cost approximately Ksh3,600 (USD25) and 97,400 pieces were sold in the United States and 1,800 pairs were sold in Canada.
Companies in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) of Nairobi and Machakos counties manufacture the apparel that is exported to the United States.
Under the provisions of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), African garment manufacturers have preferential access to the U.S. market.
According to the CPSC, the recalled clothing was sold exclusively at the local store between September 2022 and March 2023.
However, the parents were rewarded with complete refunds because the retailers assumed responsibility for the losses.
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A specific incident in which a fastener detached from one of the products prompted the recall, but no injuries were reported.
The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits redistributing, selling, or even giving away recalled products in Canada, as doing so could potentially harm the country’s reputation.
Under AGOA, the Kenyan textile export market is one of the largest on the continent, employing thousands in EPZs in Athi River, Machakos County, and Ruaraka, Nairobi.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has expressed confidence in the country’s growth with the drive for a free-trade agreement with the United States before the expiration of the AGOA agreement in 2025.
Kuria has also pledged to promote local garment production by increasing tariffs on imported clothing, particularly secondhand clothing, also known as mitumba.
According to research conducted in 2022, only five percent of Kenyans purchase locally-made clothing, with many citing price as a significant factor.
Imports of costly raw materials, such as cotton, contribute significantly to the increase in costs.
US Denies Kenyan Clothes
