The Nasukuta export abattoir has been officially opened in West Pokot county.
Many residents, including unemployed youth, are expected to be hired. They said the project has taken too long but will help them achieve their dreams.
“We are asking the government to consider us youths when they start employing people,” resident Peter Lochar said.
It was opened on Saturday.
The Sh178 million project was established by the European Union in partnership with the West Pokot county government, contributing Sh110 million and Sh68 million, respectively.
West Pokot is among 15 counties benefiting from EU-funded projects.
The abattoir in Chepareria ward will improve income for the value chain actors and expand the economy.
Speaking after commissioning the abattoir, Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa said it will help farmers.
“The abattoir will help in cutting out middlemen since farmers will be able to sell their animals directly to the abattoir,” he said.
He said animals will not be transported in lorries to markets in Nairobi since the abattoir is operational.
The project will start at 60 per cent capacity utilisation for cattle, sheep and goats, Wamalwa said.
"We target to slaughter 18,720 cattle and 56,160 sheep and goats in a year to improve the income of the value chain actors in the county,” he said.
He said they will establish an MoU between the Kenya Meat Commission and the Nasukuta export abattoir to make it sustainable.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo said his government had rolled out health, vaccination, feed, better breeding and AI services to ensure the abattoir is sustainable.
Lonyangapuo said the county had started disease surveillance and mass vaccination to make the county a disease-free zone.
“This will help to ensure Nasukuta meat meets all international health and safety standards for local consumption and export," the governor said.
Since 2017 to date, the county has vaccinated 1.850 million cattle, and 2.72 million goats and sheep.
The governor said the county has also distributed free Sahiwal bulls, Galla buck goats, merino and subsidised AI services to farmers.
“This will help to ensure that the abattoir has a constant supply of animals,” he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
