Shollei Backs Local Content Bill to Boost Farmers, Strengthen Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector
Shollei pointed to the success of Rivatex Textile Company as a practical example of how local industries can support farmers.
Woman Representative for Uasin Gishu County Gladys Shollei. Photo/ Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Gladys Shollei has voiced strong support for the proposed Local Content Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 45 of 2025), saying it will create sustainable markets for local producers and accelerate growth in Kenya’s manufacturing sector.
Speaking on the proposed legislation, the Uasin Gishu Woman Representative and National Assembly Deputy Speaker said the Bill is a critical step toward empowering farmers and reducing the country’s dependence on imports.
“The Bill will ensure that our industries consume what our farmers produce, creating a ready market and improving livelihoods,” she said.
Shollei cited the success of Rivatex East Africa Limited as a model for how local industries can support agricultural value chains. She noted that the company has played a key role in reviving cotton farming by prioritising the use of locally grown raw materials.
She also highlighted her past efforts to shield local wheat farmers from unfair competition, recalling her stance against the importation of substandard wheat.
“I was at the forefront in blocking the clearance of substandard imported wheat until millers absorbed what had been produced by our farmers,” Shollei stated.
The proposed law seeks to prioritise the use of Kenyan goods, services, and labour across key sectors of the economy—a move proponents say will spur job creation, enhance value addition, and strengthen domestic industries.
If enacted, the Local Content Bill is expected to provide a structured framework for increased utilisation of local resources, positioning Kenyan farmers and manufacturers at the centre of the country’s economic transformation agenda.
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