The Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) has announced an ambitious expansion strategy aimed at providing high-quality, safe, and affordable meat to citizens across the country.
The move is part of broader efforts to align with the pending 2023 Food Safety and Nutrition Law, currently awaiting parliamentary approval.
Speaking during an exclusive interview, KMC Managing Commissioner Major General Jattani Gula revealed the parastatal’s intention to open more state-of-the-art butcheries in Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, and Mombasa counties.
“We already have operational outlets in Athi River and Muthurwa, Nairobi,” he said, emphasising that the goal is to serve Kenyans with dignity and meet modern food safety standards.
Under the stewardship of the Ministry of Defence since 2021, KMC has experienced a significant revival. Previously reliant on agents and brokers, the commission now plans to establish direct-to-consumer butcheries.
According to Major General Gula, some KMC outlets record daily sales of up to KSh1 million, particularly on Fridays and weekends, prompting the expansion.
Additional locations set to host new butcheries include Kitengela and Rongai in Kajiado, Thika in Kiambu, Mtwapa, Changamwe, and Likoni along the Coast.
KMC’s central abattoir in Athi River, Machakos County, employs advanced technology, including a cold chain system, and processes premium meat products such as sausages, smokies, and mutura.
To cut transportation costs for livestock farmers, the commission is working with county governments to open slaughterhouses in arid and semi-arid regions.
“Transporting animals to Athi River is expensive for farmers. Local slaughter points will minimise losses,” Gula noted.
Counties in North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Western Kenya are part of the collaboration. Already, a modern slaughterhouse is operational in Kibarani, Mombasa.
Livestock will be processed in the counties and then transported using KMC’s refrigerated trailers for further processing at the central plant.
Since the Kenya Defence Forces assumed management in 2021, KMC’s contribution to GDP has surged from KSh256 million to between KSh2.1 billion and KSh2.8 billion annually. The plant now slaughters an average of 300 animals daily, up from just 50 previously, with a maximum daily capacity of 1,000 cattle and 1,500 goats and sheep.
KMC will also participate in the fourth Kenya Meat Expo and Conference from August 6–8, 2025, at the KICC in Nairobi. Themed “Driving Sustainable Growth Across the Meat Value Chain,” the event is organised by Nation Media Group (NMG) PLC.
NMG CEO Geoffrey Odundo reaffirmed the media company’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s meat sector through impactful coverage and in-depth reporting on industry challenges.
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