The Garment business in Kisumu County is set broaden even more after a partnership between Kisumu National Polytechnic and the European Union (EU) that saw the establishment of garment making firm in the technical training institution.
The establishment was installed in 2016 and its mills began rolling early this year opening doors for both student trainees and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking to Kisumu National Polytechnic Senior Principle Mrs. Joyce Nyanjom said that the 19 million project donated by the EU is a game changer in the textile trade in the Lake side city and yonder.
The facility, Nyanjom said also aims at fostering skills in clothe making a move she terms as “imperative” towards achieving economic independence and self-employment among the youth.
The Principle discloses that the garment making facility is equipped with cutting edge machinery.
“We have a Computerized Embroidery Machine, Welting machine, weaving machine, 3 phase vacuum ironing board, dry cleaners, cloth washing machines, driers and dozens of modern sewing machines,” said Nyanjom.
The digital embroidery machine, according to its operator Mr. Joshua Mungo, is used to engrave logos on clothes and also develop art work on garments.
Before the logo is etched on the clothe, Mungo says it is first designed using a special computer program known as “Willcom” after which it is transmitted to the machine in an image format using a flash disk.
Afterwards, the machine translates the image to logo imprints.
The process is fast and more precise than the manual systems besides also being able to handle four operations simultaneously.
The machine can produce to a tune of 200 simple logos per day.
However the number can slightly drop in-case complex logos with thousands of stitches are involved.
Mungo, who is also a log designer continued to mention that they have produced the latest logos for Pride King Security Company, Victoria Café, Majengo and Nyamira High schools and the logos on the National Super Alliance (NASA) apparels.
Mungo confides that the firm provides affordable and negotiable rates to its clients. For instance, he confides that a single logo is inscribed at 70/=.
The facility is also equipped with dozens of high-tech sewing machines used in dress making.
The machines vary from convectional sewing machines, overlock and flatlock sewing machines (used for neatening raw edges in clothes).
Buttoning machines used for drilling button holes and fixing buttons.
Vacuum driers; for drying clothes especially coats/suits and a welting machine which is used for designing pocket areas on garments.
While speaking to KNA, Mrs. Janet Omieno, an official at the garment making facility confided that the sewing hub has attracted both student trainees and also a section of dress makers in the expanse of the Lake side city.
“Dress makers come to use the machines here as they are computerized and fast. This ensures efficiency in their businesses as we only charge them a fee for using the machines. This applies for those who come with their own materials,” explains Omieno.
Omieno also said that the sewing section had produced graduation gowns for TEMAK Youth Polytechnic, overalls for Maseno University besides also produced laboratory coats for local students at the training facility.
Mr. Ochieng’ Odek, the Research Coordinator at Kisumu National Polytechnic stated that the facility has great potential that if fully taped could help in reducing the duress currently being experienced in the formal employment sector.
Students, Odek says, train at the facility for Certificate and Diploma programs in Clothing and Textile. The Certificate program runs for two and a half years while to qualify for a Diploma award, students train for 3 years.
The institution aims at imparting industrial competence among its trainees expressing optimism that exceptional performers maybe considered as juniors instructors for the younger students.
The firm remains largely underutilized since it swung into operations as some of the machines for instance; weaving, welting and washing machines are yet to commence work.
“We do not have enough space where we can have all these machines operational. For instance, the weaving machine requires a bigger space especially when processing longer carpets or mats. ,” explains Odek.
If building infrastructure is expanded, Odek envisages maximum utilization of the garment making facility.
He further confides that they are also experiencing a shortage of instructors and machine operators. A case in point, he says they are yet to identify a qualified welting machine operator who can handle both training and basic operations.
According to, Mrs. Janet Omieno, an official, the industrial unit projects to accrue seven million shillings as its annual target as soon as all machines come on board.
The funds, she says, will be ploughed back into the business besides also footing other bills.
Albeit other machines not operating, Omieno says the plants has been able to amass close to a 100 thousand shillings monthly since business begun trickling in.
She reveals that they are currently rolling out an advertisement program that will see them showcase their products besides also propelling them to the greater market frontier.
“We personally visit schools among other business prospects, show them our products and their after ask them to do business with us. Plans are however underway to offload our marketing to digital platforms like Facebook and Instagram,” says Omieno.
According to latest statistics by the World Bank, Kenya has the highest youth unemployment rates in East Africa capping at 17.3%.
“If fully tapped into, the potential of this place will go a long way in ensuring this crisis is mitigated by provision of jobs and more especially cultivating the culture of self-employment,” Principle Nyanjom notes.