Govt. set to complete meat factory in Pokot
By Evans Jaola
The government is set to complete construction of a multi-million Nasukuta meat processing factory in Chepareria, West Pokot that had stalled due to lack of funds.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett has said the government will work with West Pokot County government to see that the project is fully implemented.
Speaking in Kapenguria Bett said the government is set to make the region a livestock market hub and ensure growth in livestock production in the region.
Bett said the government is key to look for an investor to partner with the County government to implement the Nasukuta Meat processing plant.
Speaking on Wednesday the 10th February at the Governor’s office while launching Veterinary Laboratory equipment worth Ksh. 670,000, the CS said West Pokot County is among key areas for livestock production in the Country.
“We are going to pull together our resources to ensure infrastructure development is completed to ensure the project starts running since its now 95 percent complete,” said the CS.
Bett said the Abattoir will serve a regional meat factory for West Pokot, Trans Nzoia,Turkana, Uganda and parts of Southern Sudan.
He added that the government is working on the modalities to source for external market for livestock products to improve income for farmers in the region.
However the CS who was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Livestock Dr. Andrew Toimur said the laboratory equipment will help curb livestock diseases in pastoral areas.
The CS said they will partner with the county governments in ASAL areas to improve drought resilience programmes in livestock to ensure value addition.
“We want farmers to get more from the venture and we will ensure we improve services to farmers at the grassroots level,” said Bett.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin thanked the national government for partnering with the County government to improve livestock services for farmers.
He said the equipment will greatly help in addressing animal diseases in the region citing it as a major challenge facing pastoral communities.