The Kenya Meat Commission plant in Athi River, Machakos County is set to resume operations after undergoing a facelift. Defence Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma confirmed the report and said that the government is anticipating profits after full operation.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) carried out refurbishment works at the factory and set up a robust business system to cater for the needs of livestock farmers and the general public.
The ministerial responsibility of the meat processor was transferred from Agriculture to Defence on September 7, 2020. The Commission had been operating below par, grappling with financial issues, only slaughtering an estimated 200 cows per week. With the new management, the facility will now slaughter at least 1000 cows a week and payments will be made in 72 hours.
Badge of Honour
The CS noted that officers deployed to KMC worked round the clock to revamp it, responding to the needs of the stakeholders, including paying outstanding debts and effecting proactive components of income generation to benefit Kenyans as well as livestock farmers.
“From the beginning, we knew the takeover and revamp was not our usual task. We also knew from the start that failure was not an option. The strategic guidance to Defence ministry was to revamp operations and production with the objective of ensuring the commission’s survival. I can now confirm that the facility is revamped, systems tested and ready to contribute to the national food security,” said CS Monica.
The resumption of KMC’s operations is part of the ‘Badge of Honour’ for KDF, which will be launching projects in the next 15 days in preparation for Madaraka Day celebrations.
“In the next 15 days, the Ministry of Defence, in line with its mandate to aid civil authorities in executing directives of the government, will launch a number of projects that contribute to the national development agenda,” said the CS.
