Kenya Meat Commission (KMC), Athi-river, has recorded a tremendous growth since its takeover by Kenya defence forces (KDF) one year ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said in his State of the Nation address.
The President said that the cashless meat outlet is now selling meat worth up to Ksh1 million on a daily basis up from the previous Ksh8,000 daily sales.
``"My administration is proud of the tremendous economic growth it has recorded since the change of management. One wonders where all the money was disappearing.
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Farmers who were owed over 400million in arrears for cattle supplied at the facility have since been paid amid magical face value change. A three kilometers tarmac road connecting the facility to Mombasa road has also eased traffic snarl up," the President said.
He added that livestock farmers are now paid within 72hours. Farmers have since applauded the move saying it has increased their profitability and made the processor a reliable ready market.
The animal's price has also increased since the payment is based on live weight of an animal unlike previously where animals were valued based on dead weight.
KMC has also reviewed its regulations to buy cows from drought hit herders across the country under the government meat offtake program.
Ordinarily, the processor buys bulls and heifers from farmers at a ratio of 2:8 translating to eight bulls against two heifers contributing to 80 percent of the total animals acceptable at the meat processor.
However, the rule has now been relaxed to save farmers from losing livestock during the drought season.
