Experts are raising concerns over Kenya’s booming mitumba trade, warning that second-hand clothes could carry harmful microorganisms and pose public health risks if they are not properly inspected and handled.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The concerns come as millions of Kenyans rely on imported second-hand clothing, which provides affordable garments and supports thousands of traders and other livelihoods across the country.

Researchers have warned that used textiles can harbour bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, which are associated with illnesses including diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and, in severe cases, sepsis, according to Mongabay.

A recent letter published in Science raised concerns over the growing movement of used garments to African countries, arguing that some of the clothing being exported as reusable goods could eventually become textile waste.

📌 What You Need to Know

The researchers noted that more than 4.5 billion used garments are shipped to Africa annually , with a significant proportion eventually ending up in dumpsites or being burned when waste management systems cannot cope with the volumes.

The health concerns extend beyond bacteria, with studies linking discarded textiles to pathogenic microorganisms, antimicrobial-resistant genes and microplastics released as synthetic fabrics deteriorate.

In Kenya, the scale of textile waste has raised additional concerns. A 2023 report estimated that Nairobi's largest dumpsite receives about 86 tonnes of textile waste every day, some of which can eventually pollute the environment as fabrics degrade.

Experts, however, say the concerns do not necessarily mean Kenya should ban mitumba imports, but that stronger inspection and controls are needed before the clothes reach consumers.

"It is critical to consider the potential risks, including bacterial contamination," Ebenezer Amadi, a senior programme manager at Bopinc, said.

He added that the risks could be addressed through inspection and appropriate controls at the point of entry, placing emphasis on preventing potentially contaminated garments from entering the local market.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke