Former Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina has warned that at least 30,000 Kenyans are set to lose their jobs over the importation of cooking oil and other products.

Wainaina (pictured), an industrialist and proprietor of Jungle Nuts Ltd says the government must act to save local manufacturers whom he said are facing a bleak future. Jungle nuts processes macadamia nuts for export.
“There are four local companies that employ over 30,000 Kenyans directly and another 300,000 indirectly which will be affected by the importation of cooking oil. We cannot hurt our own industry by going for cheaper products from outside,” he said.

Wainaina noted that while he agrees with President William Ruto’s policy on reviving the economy through value addition, actions by some of those working under him are contrary to this and may harm the country’s economic growth.

“If the issue is that products from local companies are charged higher than the imported ones, the solution is not to go to those manufactured outside as this will kill our own industry resulting to loss of jobs. We should find an alternative way of stabilising the prices,” he said.

He particularly singled out the Ministry of Investments Trade and Industry which he said must involve stakeholders when making decisions that affect them.