The facility aims to triple local cotton production in Lamu County from 2,000 to 6,000 bales per year and reduce Kenya’s dependence on imported cotton, which currently accounts for about 90% of the national supply
By Philip Mwangangi
Lamu, Kenya – A new cotton processing facility launched in Lamu County is set to become a beacon of sustainable industrialisation and inclusive growth, as the United Kingdom, Kenyan national and county governments, and private sector partners join forces to deliver a project that puts both the environment and women at the heart of development.
Led by Thika Cloth Mills and backed by the UK’s Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) programme, the facility will be built near cotton farms to drastically reduce transport emissions. Once operational in 2025, it is expected to cut 262 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually, reinforcing Kenya’s climate targets under its green industrial agenda.
But the environmental benefits are only part of the story. In a deliberate move to promote gender equity in the value chain, at least 50% of the jobs created at the processing plant will go to women, offering new economic opportunities in an industry where they are often underrepresented.
“This project is a powerful statement on what modern development should look like—climate-conscious, inclusive, and locally grounded,” said British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, Ed Barnett.
“It will reduce emissions, empower women, and help Kenya reclaim control over its cotton economy.”
The facility aims to triple local cotton production in Lamu County from 2,000 to 6,000 bales per year and reduce Kenya’s dependence on imported cotton, which currently accounts for about 90% of the national supply. The project will also serve surrounding counties, including Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, and Taita Taveta, further boosting its environmental and economic reach.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, emphasised the multi-layered benefits of the initiative: “The ginnery will support our climate goals, increase incomes for farmers, and bring real, transformative change, especially for women and rural communities.”
The strategic location near farms will not only reduce carbon emissions but also cut transportation costs, giving farmers more access to markets and increasing the sustainability of the cotton value chain from seed to fabric.
The UK has provided catalytic seed funding to de-risk the investment, with further financial contributions from the Kenyan government and Thika Cloth Mills. The Lamu County Government provided land, making this a fully integrated public-private partnership focused on inclusive green growth.
This is SUED’s fourth value-chain project in Lamu County, following fish, coconut, and cashew nut processing investments—all aligned with climate-resilient, community-first development. Across Kenya, SUED has helped unlock £48 million in private capital and created over 10,000 jobs with an £8 million seed fund from the UK.
Beyond industrial investments, the UK continues to support environmental, trade, and security initiatives across Lamu, including work on marine biodiversity, plastic waste reduction, and green infrastructure at Lamu Port.
