Product 09 · Export from Kenya

Kenya Apparel Manufacturer & Exporter

Kenya's Export Processing Zones host large, compliance-audited garment factories producing knitwear, denim and workwear for global apparel brands — with competitive lead times and preferential market access.

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Workers sewing garments in a clothing factory

Overview

Garment factories in the Athi River, Mombasa and Nairobi EPZs and industrial parks produce cut-make-trim (CMT) and full-package apparel. Many are vertically linked to fabric suppliers and are audited by major US and European brands for social, environmental and security compliance.

Kenyan apparel has historically shipped duty-free to the United States under AGOA (subject to the programme's status at time of shipment), enters the EU duty-free under the Kenya–EU EPA, the UK under the UK–Kenya EPA, and East African markets under the EAC Customs Union.

Typical buyers: Apparel brands, sourcing companies, uniform suppliers, wholesalers and retailers.

Types, varieties, grades & specifications

6 types available. Specifications are typical; exact parameters are confirmed per lot on the quotation and certificate of analysis.

Type 1 of 6

Knitted T-Shirts & Polo Shirts

Basics and fashion tees, piqué polos, crew and V-necks in cotton, CVC and poly-cotton.

Kenyan EPZ factories produce high volumes of knitted basics and fashion tops for global brands: crew and V-neck T-shirts, long-sleeve tees, tank tops and piqué polo shirts. Production covers fabric knitting or sourcing, dyeing, cutting, sewing, printing, embroidery and packing, with full size and colour assortments.

Typical uses & buyers

Brand basics and fashion ranges
Promotional and corporate merchandise
Uniform polos
Retail private label

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Specifications

Fabrics	100% cotton (combed/carded), CVC 60/40, poly-cotton 65/35, 100% polyester
Weight	140–240 GSM (tees), 180–240 GSM piqué (polos)
Knit	single jersey, piqué, rib, interlock
Sizes	XS–3XL (adult), kids' sizing available
Stitching	10–12 SPI, twin-needle hems
Decoration	screen print, DTG, heat transfer, embroidery
Colour fastness	grade 4 (ISO 105)
Shrinkage	≤ 5% after wash
MOQ	1,000–3,000 pcs per style/colour
Lead time	45–75 days after approval

Type 2 of 6

Sweatshirts, Hoodies & Joggers

Fleece and French terry casualwear.

Fleece and French terry casualwear — crew sweatshirts, pull-over and zip hoodies, joggers and shorts — made with brushed or loop-back fabrics. Trims, drawcords, ribs and branded labels are sourced to brand specification.

Typical uses & buyers

Casual and athleisure ranges
College and team merchandise
Corporate and promotional wear

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Specifications

Fabrics	cotton-rich fleece, CVC, poly-cotton, French terry
Weight	240–360 GSM
Finish	brushed back or loop-back
Trims	YKK/equivalent zips, flat or round drawcords
Sizes	XS–3XL
Decoration	print, embroidery, appliqué
MOQ	1,000+ pcs per style/colour

Type 3 of 6

Denim Jeans & Trousers

Five-pocket jeans, chinos and casual trousers with washes.

Five-pocket jeans, chinos, cargo pants and casual trousers in denim and twill, with full wash and finishing capability. Kenyan denim lines supply US and regional brands, including workwear-style bottoms.

Typical uses & buyers

Denim brands and retailers
Workwear bottoms
Uniform trousers

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Specifications

Fabrics	rigid & stretch denim 9–14 oz, cotton twill 200–280 GSM
Fits	slim, straight, relaxed, bootcut
Washes	rinse, stone, enzyme, bleach, ozone
Trims	shank buttons, rivets, zips, leather/jacquard patches
Sizes	waist 26–44
Stitching	chain-stitch hems, bar-tacks
MOQ	1,000–2,000 pcs per style/wash

Type 4 of 6

Workwear, Uniforms & Corporate Wear

Coveralls, work shirts, school & corporate uniforms, hi-vis.

Durable work and uniform garments: coveralls, work shirts and trousers, dust coats, chef and hospitality wear, security uniforms, school uniforms and hi-visibility garments. Fabrics are selected for durability, comfort and wash resistance.

Typical uses & buyers

Industrial and construction workforces
Schools and institutions
Hotels, hospitals and security firms
Government and NGO uniforms

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Specifications

Fabrics	poly-cotton twill/drill 200–300 GSM, 100% cotton drill
Options	reflective tape (EN ISO 20471 class on request), FR fabric on request
Features	reinforced seams, bar-tacks, multi-pocket
Branding	embroidery or print
Sizes	S–5XL
MOQ	from 300–500 pcs (uniform programmes)

Type 5 of 6

Activewear & Sportswear

Performance tees, shorts and team kits.

Performance T-shirts, shorts, track tops, team kits and running wear in moisture-wicking polyester and stretch fabrics, with sublimation printing for full-colour team designs — fitting for a country famous for its runners.

Typical uses & buyers

Sports brands
Team and club kits
Marathon and event merchandise
Gym and leisure wear

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Specifications

Fabrics	100% polyester interlock / mesh, poly-elastane
Weight	120–180 GSM
Features	moisture-wicking, quick-dry, flatlock seams
Decoration	dye sublimation, heat transfer
Sizes	XS–3XL
MOQ	from 500 pcs (sublimated)

Type 6 of 6

Home Textiles & Kikoy / Kitenge

Towels, kikoy sarongs, kitenge prints and woven accessories.

Towels, bed linen and kitchen textiles, together with Kenya's iconic cotton kikoy (striped sarongs and beach throws) and colourful kitenge prints. Many kikoy and handcrafted lines come from artisan cooperatives, available in smaller order quantities.

Typical uses & buyers

Home and lifestyle retailers
Beach and resort wear
Gift and fair-trade stores
Hotels

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Specifications

Kikoy	100% cotton, hand-loomed or machine-woven, tasselled ends
Sizes	kikoy approx. 100 × 170 cm; towels to order
Kitenge	wax-style printed cotton
Towels	400–600 GSM terry
MOQ	from 200 pcs (artisan lines)

Growing & production areas in Kenya

Growing / production area	Altitude	Notes
Athi River EPZ (Machakos)	1,500 m	Kenya's largest apparel cluster, close to Nairobi and JKIA.
Mombasa & Kilifi EPZs	0–100 m	Port-side garment factories for fast sea shipment.
Nairobi & Thika industrial areas	1,500–1,700 m	Uniforms, workwear and domestic-market brands.
Naivasha & Eldoret industrial parks	1,900–2,100 m	Newer textile parks, cotton and fabric development.

Trade information

Season

Year-round production. Typical lead time 45–90 days after sample approval, depending on fabric sourcing.

Minimum order

Typically 1,000–3,000 pieces per style/colour (factory dependent); smaller MOQs for uniforms and kikoy.

Packaging

Individually polybagged, folded or on hangers
Export cartons with size/colour assortment labels
GOH (garments on hanger) on request

Logistics & Incoterms

Sea FCL/LCL from Mombasa
Air for urgent and sample shipments
Incoterms: FOB Mombasa, FCA Nairobi, CIF, DDP via forwarder

Certifications

WRAP
amfori BSCI
SMETA / Sedex
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (fabrics)
GOTS (organic lines)

Export documents

Commercial invoice & packing list
Certificate of Origin / AGOA textile visa (when applicable)
EUR.1 for EU / UK
Test reports (shrinkage, colour fastness)
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill

HS codes: Chapter 61 (knitted apparel, e.g., 6109 T-shirts, 6110 sweaters) · Chapter 62 (woven, e.g., 6203/6204 trousers) · Chapter 63 (home textiles)

Export destinations for Kenyan textiles & apparel

Market-specific guidance on ports, transit times and import requirements.

🇺🇸Textiles & Apparel to United StatesNew York / New Jersey (USNYC)Sea 30–42 days · Air 1–2 days 🇺🇬Textiles & Apparel to UgandaLandlocked — via Mombasa & Northern Corridor (road/SGR to Naivasha ICD)Sea Road: 2–4 days Nairobi–Kampala · Air 1 hour

Frequently asked questions

Do you produce from my tech pack?

Yes. Send your tech pack and target price; we arrange proto, fit and pre-production samples before bulk.

How are apparel samples charged?

Development samples are priced per style on a pro-forma invoice, not by weight. The quote form will flag this automatically.

Buyer guides

Guides for importers

Product Buying Guides

Apparel Manufacturer in Kenya: Sourcing T-Shirts, Denim & Workwear from Kenyan EPZ Factories

Product range, compliance, MOQs, lead times and trade access for brands sourcing apparel from Kenya.

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Sourcing Countries

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A buyer's overview of Kenya's top export products, how sourcing works and how goods get from Kenyan farms and factories to your port.

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Ready to import from Kenya?

Tell us the product, variety, quantity, Incoterm (FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP) and your destination port or airport. We reply with a formal quotation, usually within one business day.

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