Mitumba is a Swahili term meaning “bundles”, used to refer to plastic-wrapped packages of used clothing.
Mitumba is also a business: local African wholesalers purchase bales of tropical mix from Western countries and sell them in these developing world markets.
Kenya is one of the largest importers of second-hand clothes in Sub-Saharan Africa.
It is believed that four-fifths of those on the continent wear second-hand clothes, mainly imported from the USA, Canada, China and Europe.
It is believed that four-fifths of those on the continent wear second-hand clothes, mainly imported from the USA, Canada, China and Europe.
Between 2015 and 2019, the scale of wholesale trade of second-hand garments was estimated to involve 926 thousand tonnes of used items.
The second-hand clothing industry is the breadbasket for about 2 million Kenyans. Still, under the informal sector, the industry is a blend of skilled and unskilled labour from different sectors, employing an estimated 10% of the total extended labour force.
The second-hand clothing industry is the breadbasket for about 2 million Kenyans. Still, under the informal sector, the industry is a blend of skilled and unskilled labour from different sectors, employing an estimated 10% of the total extended labour force.
The wholesalers usually receive second-hand clothes in the form of bales. They then sell and distribute to retailers or other wholesalers. Kenya not only imports used clothing for personal use but also exports it to neighbouring countries.
According to a recent household analysis, most households buy new clothes only when required. Mitumba is not just a clothing culture in Kenya; it is a significant source of income for families.
On the reverse side, quality is one of the main challenges when assessing Mitumba: a consistent portion of the clothing in imported bales is such poor quality that it is immediately dumped in landfills or burned, severely affecting people and the environment.
Compared to other waste materials like plastic and aluminium, textile fabrics are mostly not recyclable, meaning they are not a source of income for the dumpsites workers.
Compared to other waste materials like plastic and aluminium, textile fabrics are mostly not recyclable, meaning they are not a source of income for the dumpsites workers.
A new shipment of mitumba goods just arrived from Mombasa Port, the country’s main entrance for bales import. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Workers from Gikomba Market, the main second-hand clothes market in the country. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Men’s suits bale from the UK, the best country for this type of item. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Wholesaler at Gikomba market sorting out bales in his warehouse. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Second hands retailers looking for good quality items before the opening of the bale. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
A retailer sorting out baby’s clothes from a just opened mitumba bale. An average of 50% of the goods will be thrown out because of their low quality. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022 . Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Opening of a shared mitumba bale. Retailers try to catch the best items before the other competitors. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
High-quality Mitumba bale containing ladies’ pants from India and Canada. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Shoes’ reseller washing a pair of shoes before displaying them for sale. A mitumba shoe bales usually contain an average of 45 pairs. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Denim jeans retailer stock at Gikomba Market. Prices vary from 5 to 9 US dollars. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Grade A outwear jacket from French brand Pierre Cardin, on sale for 15$. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
A retailer checking for high-quality jeans to be sold. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Worker from Gikomba Market restoring jumpsuit pants. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Fabric scraps from tailors often end long side the Nairobi river or in dump sites. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
A retailer repairing a low-quality pair of jeans. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
A Dandora inhabitant, while washing some discarded items, just found. The goal is to resell them. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
Waste collectors at the Dandora dumping site, one of the biggest air dumps in Africa. Nairobi (Kenya) - 2022
