A KMC butchery at Kasarani in Nairobi: The abattoir says it meets international food safety standards. FILE
What you need to know:
From this week, it will open a butchery in Nairobi at Roysambu while others are coming up in Lang’ata and Buru Buru.
The meat processor is planning two depots in Naivasha town, through partnerships, and others in Nyeri, Thika and Kiambu.
It has also opened depots in Nyali, Mombasa.
The Kenya Meat Commission is stepping up its expansion drive by opening more franchised butcheries and depots as it seeks to market the safety of its products.
From this week, it will open a butchery in Nairobi at Roysambu while others are coming up in Lang’ata and Buru Buru. The management says through upgrades, KMC now has the capacity to supply both local and global meat markets.
“We are eyeing the local market through franchised butcheries as well as selling and distribution points in various parts of the country to encourage meat eating as one of the main source of protein,” said KMC sales and marketing head Joseph Nyarotso.
The meat processor is planning two depots in Naivasha town, through partnerships, and others in Nyeri, Thika and Kiambu. The abattoir has also opened depots in Nyali, Mombasa.
The meat firm is wooing the market to consume meat from traceable sources.
“Our products meet international standards and conditions through the food safety management system; we, therefore, stand out as best placed to serve the nation and the world market,” Mr Nyarotso told the Business Daily at the firm’s Athi River plant.
KMC is seeking partners in heavily populated parts of Nairobi — the largest consumer of meat at an average 2,000 carcasses daily —to grow sales. Since it was revived about a decade ago, the firm has not established a credible sales network.
Meat from Kenya is considered nutritious as the animals slaughtered feed on the natural forage. Up to late last year KMC had made inroads into the Middle East and has encouraged local entrepreneurs to embrace export through its programmes.
Through the State-run Export Promotion Council, it has won new markets in DR Congo and South Sudan. It is also eyeing Angola and Togo. The meat firm has sales and distribution depots in Nairobi and Mombasa besides the Kibarani factory off the Makupa causeway in Mombasa.
Private businesses have dominated the market, meaning the KMC’s marketing drive could put pressure on the current players.
Justus Gathogo, the Kajiado Central District livestock officer, says the expansion is good for the industry since it will raise quality standards.
“This is timely since KMC is known for quality and best standards,” said Mr Gathogo.
The government is also planning slaughter structures in Isiolo, Garissa and Baringo. KMC chief executive Ibrahim Isaak says the the Athi River plant has been the main source of livelihood for most marginalised pastoralists.
"We are the source of livelihood to many livestock producers across the country since we offer competitive prices for their livestock. Expansion across the country will benefit producers,” said Dr Isaak.
The commission has the capacity to slaughter over 1,000 large animals a day and 1,500 small stocks at their main Athi River headquarters. More than 250 large and 500 small animals can be processed a day at the Mombasa branch.
