Leather Value Chain in Nyeri Set for Boost as County Partners With KLDC to Support Local Enterprises

The leather value chain in Nyeri County could open up new business opportunities for livestock farmers, leather processors and manufacturers following a partnership between the county government and the Kenya Leather Development Council (KLDC) to strengthen the sector.

The collaboration is focused on identifying existing leather businesses, assessing their production capacity, addressing skills gaps and improving the capacity of local enterprises to manufacture leather products.

The discussions brought together Nyeri County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Aquaculture Development James Wachihi and a team from KLDC. The meeting was also attended by Chief Officer Patricia Wangui and the Director of Veterinary Services.

One of the key areas discussed was the possibility of equipping the Common Manufacturing Facility (CMF) already established by the county government. The facility could provide local leather enterprises with access to equipment and support needed to improve production and expand their businesses.

The partnership seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of Nyeri’s leather sector, promote value addition and create opportunities for local businesses in line with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

How the Leather Value Chain Could Benefit Livestock Farmers

Leather production begins with livestock farming, making the condition and quality of animal hides and skins important to the wider industry. Cattle provide hides, while sheep and goats supply skins used in the manufacture of various leather products.

For livestock farmers, a stronger leather industry could create a more organised market for hides and skins that might otherwise be wasted or sold at low prices. However, the benefits will depend on whether processors and buyers develop reliable collection systems and offer prices that reward quality.

Poor handling, cuts made during slaughter, improper flaying and inadequate preservation can damage hides and skins, reducing their suitability for processing. Improving quality therefore requires coordination between livestock keepers, slaughter facilities, traders, tanneries and manufacturers.

If the partnership leads to stronger links between these groups, livestock producers could benefit from improved demand for quality hides and skins, while businesses gain access to better raw materials.

County Targets Leather Manufacturing and Skills Development

A key part of the discussions involved mapping leather and leather-product manufacturing units operating in Nyeri County. This exercise is expected to help establish the businesses already active in the sector, their production capacities and the skills they need to grow.

Identifying these gaps can help the county and KLDC determine where support, training and equipment would have the greatest impact. Local enterprises may require assistance with product design, cutting, stitching, finishing, quality control and business management, depending on their activities.

The proposed support for the Common Manufacturing Facility could also help address equipment constraints. Shared manufacturing facilities can give small businesses access to machinery they may not be able to purchase individually, potentially helping them improve product quality and production capacity.

The extent of the benefits will depend on the equipment provided, how the facility is managed and whether businesses can access it at an affordable cost.

Value Addition Could Create More Business Opportunities

Rather than relying only on the sale of raw hides and skins, a stronger leather industry can create additional value by processing materials into finished products. These may include shoes, belts, bags, wallets and other leather goods, depending on the capacity and market focus of local manufacturers.

Manufacturing finished products can create work for artisans, technicians, traders and other small enterprises. It can also provide opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills and establish businesses in leather processing and product manufacturing.

For local manufacturers to compete effectively, however, they need consistent access to quality raw materials, suitable equipment, trained workers and reliable markets. Product durability, finishing, pricing and customer preferences also influence whether locally manufactured goods can compete with imported products.

The county’s collaboration with KLDC is intended to help identify the challenges facing businesses and explore ways to improve their competitiveness. No specific equipment rollout, funding allocation or implementation timeline was provided in the announcement.

Partnership Seeks to Attract Investment Into Nyeri’s Leather Sector

The County Government of Nyeri has reaffirmed its commitment to working with KLDC and other stakeholders to promote investment and expand economic opportunities across the leather value chain.

The initiative aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to strengthen productive sectors and support enterprise development.

For the partnership to deliver lasting results, businesses will need practical support that addresses their day-to-day constraints. This includes access to equipment, technical training, quality raw materials, working capital and buyers for finished products.

Stronger coordination between livestock production and leather manufacturing could help reduce waste, improve the value obtained from animal hides and skins, and create more opportunities for enterprises within the county.

The planned mapping of manufacturers and assessment of their needs will be an important step in determining how the county and KLDC can direct support towards the sector’s most pressing challenges.

If followed by effective implementation, the partnership could help Nyeri build a stronger leather industry that supports livestock-related businesses, creates employment and increases the value generated from animal products.

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/trending/leather-value-chain-in-nyeri/https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Leather-Value-Chain-in-Nyeri-Set-for-Boost-as-County-Partners-With-KLDC-to-Support-Local-Enterprises-1024x682.jpghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Leather-Value-Chain-in-Nyeri-Set-for-Boost-as-County-Partners-With-KLDC-to-Support-Local-Enterprises-150x150.jpg2026-10-12T18:10:31+00:00FarmersTrend# TrendingThe leather value chain in Nyeri could create more business opportunities as the county partners with KLDC to support manufacturers, improve quality and expand value addition.Leather Value Chain in Nyeri Set for Boost as County Partners With KLDC to Support Local Enterprises The leather value chain in Nyeri County...FarmersTrendjohn doefarmerstrend@gmail.comAdministratorFarmers Trend Ltd.