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Sh850 million Isiolo abattoir to be completed in 90 days - CS Linturi

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi inspecting the Isiolo abattoir. (X/Mithika Linturi)

By Lucy Mumbi | Friday, February 23, 2024

The Sh850 million facility whose construction began 16 years ago, is expected to provide ready-market for farmers in the region when operations begin.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has announced the completion of the Isiolo abattoir within a maximum of 90 days.

The Sh850 million facility whose construction began 16 years ago, is expected to provide ready-market for farmers in the region when operations begin.

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It will also provide employment opportunities for hundreds of youths as well as support the development of other industries in the livestock value chain such as tanneries.

While inspecting the facility, Linturi said it will serve as a game-changing meat hub and will benefit six surrounding counties by sourcing raw materials from their livestock.

The counties include Isiolo, Samburu, Laikipia, Garissa, Wajir and Marsabit. Southern Ethiopia and Somalia are also in the abattoir's catchment area.

“This facility, a cornerstone of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) agenda, aims to rejuvenate the beef, dairy, and leather value chains,” he said.

Once completed, the abattoir will employ 80 people directly and benefit more than 20,000 livelihoods.

Isiolo abattoir which is expected to be complete within 90 days. (X/Mithika Linturi)

The abattoir which sits on a landmass of more than 500,000 acres including the feedlots, disease-free zone and livestock receiving yard has the capacity to slaughter over 1,000 sheep and goats, 300 cows and over 100 camels daily.

To ensure compliance with market standards, Linturi said the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development will collaborate with the county government to train farmers in animal husbandry techniques.

Furthermore, he announced that the Ministry is actively establishing feedlots in 31 counties which will allow farmers to fatten their animals to meet market demands.

This, he said, will boost their incomes, enhance livelihoods and contribute to the growth of the Kenyan economy.

According to the project engineer James Munyoki, the facility has two rail lines. “We have one line for goats and sheep which is fully automated and a static line for cows and camels.”

He said that following the redesigning of the abattoir, both the primary and secondary structures supporting the rails are made of galvanized steel metals, while the rails that will come into contact with meat are made of stainless steel.

Linturi said the government is also working on refurbishing Isiolo Airport to facilitate market access.