Farmers to be paid within 72 hours of delivery of livestock as KMC reopens

MACHAKOS, Kenya, May 24 – After being in the doldrums for decades in a period characterized by years of neglect and wanton corruption that brought one of Kenya’s trusted institutions at one point in time to its knees, the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) seems to be roaring back to life.

During the re-opening of the rehabilitated KMC factory in Athi River, Machakos County on Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta defended his decision to move the management and assets of the commission from the Agriculture Ministry to the Ministry of Defence citing “reasons I do not wish to get into here.”

There have been attempts by previous administrations to jump start the legacy brand that boasts to be a cut above the best.

“Past administrations have made efforts to jump start KMC but unfortunately for very know reasons which i do not wish to get into here, these attempts never succeed and a lot of public funds went astray, ” the President said.

The militarization however of yet another government agency saw the High Court on February 2021 rule that the transfer of KMC to the Defence Ministry was a violation of Article 10 of the constitution on public participation.

The move was deemed unconstitutional and the government given 90 days to have KMC domiciled at the Agriculture Ministry.

The Attorney General’s office expressed its dissatisfaction with the ruling saying that various administrative actions have already been taken and as a result a threat to its operation.

President Kenyatta said that the commission which was once a mark of progress and quality will regain its lost glory under the auspices of the Department of Defence.

“The revival of these factory under the auspices of Department of Defence is significant to our livestock sector. For this is the main stay for at least half of our population and without doubt and as we know this sector has enormous local but also export potential,” he said.

Under the Defence Ministry, Kenyatta said meat prices will be regularized as they seek to leverage their skills, predictable product demand and diversification of its product lines to benefit farmers who have in the past received a raw deal.

In the new changes,farmers delivering livestock are now set to be paid within 72 hours.

The President expressed his regret that some farmers had for instance under the previous management had to wait at least for four years before being paid.

The infrastructural transformation at KMC including the establishment of feeding lots in its ranches in order to post yields, and an increasing product line now has KMC setting its sights to the global market once again.

“KMC must coordinate with stakeholders towards certification of its products for exports,…meat products must join the growing list of food items that we are currently exporting to the rest of the world. A significant portion of our growth will come from emerging markets, many of which are in Africa where population is growing and more consumers now enjoy improved purchasing power,” the President asserted.

This is set to be further actualized through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

A framework has also been established for the uptake of hides and skins by for local tanneries.

Meanwhile by June 2021, government agencies including, the Kenya Prisons, Police Training Colleges, Kenya Wildlife Service among others are expected to procure meat from KMC.

County governments are also expected to work closely with the Meat Commission as they seek to revitalize regional abattoirs in order to access local and global markets.