Kenya is one of the largest importers of second-hand clothes in Sub-Saharan Africa for its use and exporting to other countries. The second-Hand clothes industry contributes to government revenues. The existence of second-hand clothes (mitumba) is a demand-side issue rather than a supply-side issue. The incomes in the country for a considerable number of people can only support buying second-hand clothes. It reflects on incomes instead of whether the supply of new clothes and footwear is available.

The volumes of imported second-hand clothes and footwear reflect the domestic demand for these goods among the Kenyan population. It is essential therefore to examine the corresponding value of the imports are. The value of these imports for the corresponding years and shows that the nominal value of the imports into Kenya has risen by 80% from Ksh. 10 billion to 18 billion in the same six-year period. What this growth in import volumes shows is that along with the overall economic growth and the rise in incomes, the imports reflect the demand for second-hand clothing among Kenyan households and that this industry has supply stability.