President William Ruto has renewed his administration’s push to strengthen local manufacturing, urging Kenyans to prioritise locally made products as part of efforts to grow the economy, create jobs and expand business opportunities.
Ruto said manufacturing remains central to the government’s industrialisation agenda, noting that increased consumption of locally manufactured goods would strengthen Kenyan enterprises and ensure more wealth circulates within the country.
The President made the remarks on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, when he officially opened the Industrialisation Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
The summit, held alongside the Changamka Shopping Festival, has brought together approximately 400 manufacturers and innovators to showcase locally produced goods and promote the country’s manufacturing capacity.
In a statement shared on his X account, Ruto said purchasing Kenyan products supports local businesses, creates employment opportunities and provides farmers with expanded markets for their agricultural produce.
“Every locally made product we buy strengthens Kenyan businesses, creates employment opportunities, opens markets for our farmers and ensures that more value and wealth remain within our economy,” he said.
Ruto further said the government was pursuing a shift from exporting raw materials to processing agricultural and industrial products locally before taking them to regional and international markets.
He noted that increased value addition would allow Kenya to retain more economic benefits from its production chains while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, farmers and manufacturers.
According to the President, ongoing reforms were beginning to encourage more entrepreneurs and farmers to embrace value addition, expand their businesses and increase earnings across different agricultural and industrial value chains.
The government’s Buy Kenya, Build Kenya campaign is anchored on promoting domestic production and consumption, with manufacturing identified as a key component of the country’s broader economic transformation agenda.
The summit provides a platform for manufacturers and innovators to display Kenyan products, explore business opportunities and showcase locally developed solutions.
