Fashion Revolution Kenya - KIRDI Fish Leathers

Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) is a state cooperation, based under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives and undertakes multidisciplinary research in industrial and allied technologies which includes textile and leather. .

In Kenya, fish skin leather is derived as a by-product of the fish filleting industry in Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana regions. Kenya’s competitive edge lies in the fact that it has a huge fresh and seawater fish supply. Thus, value addition can be developed through harnessing the by-products that are currently viewed as waste, these include the skin and bones of the fish. .

The Business Daily reports, "an estimated 150,000 tons of fish waste is produced every year and 80% of it is dumped.” Although these are estimated figures, the potential for the development of fish by-products is high. Technologists say, however, we need a fashion environment that promotes the use of fish skin. .

With funding from East Africa Arts, Fashion Revolution Kenya is researching sustainable textiles across Kenya and amplifying the makers behind the fibres and fabrics. The full report will be available July 2020. .