Government to establish livestock processing zone in Isiolo

Cs Mithika Linturi and Livestock Development PS Jonathan Mweke inspect the construction progress at the
Isiolo Abattoir. [Courtesy]

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said this will increase exports and food security.

He said the development of the infrastructure at Isiolo Holding Ground was informed by the government's vision to improve the livestock trade environment.

Linturi said the government is keen to utilise additional funding of Sh450 million from the World Bank and Sh400 million from the county government of Isiolo to bolster the sector.

"This very modern abattoir which should be complete by March 15, 2024 with a slaughter capacity of 160 camels, 300 cattle and 2,500 sheep and goats per day," said Linturi.

He spoke on Friday during the assessment of livestock potential investments at the Isiolo Livestock Holding Grounds.

Linturi noted that addressing climate conditions, rangeland fragmentation and degradation, low livestock productivity, poor animal health, and high-risk trade environment, will see it increasingly contribute to the economy.

To achieve this, CS said, the Ministry will leverage the LAPSSET corridor Master plan and USAID's Monitor Group Consultancy report to create more livestock investment opportunities in the area.

"These innovations will benefit small and medium scale livestock enterprises... thus ideal enterprise to improve household food and nutrition security, increase incomes, create jobs and contribute to sustainable livelihoods in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands," Linturi said.

"Isiolo Holding ground has been earmarked for the establishment of feedlots and fodder development..." CS said, noting that the projects will see the country achieve its Vision 2030 goals.

The Isiolo Holding Ground was established in 1943, initially to serve Northern Frontier as a resting, fattening and quarantine station for screening livestock against diseases.

But the facility has developed over the years, currently hosting the Kenya Military occupying 10,665 Ha, three primary schools and squatters of Leparua community as well as sevel livestock conservancies.

According to the International Livestock Research Institute, livestock rearing accounts for 42 per cent of Agricultural Gross Domestic Product, with a direct 12 per cent contribution to National GDP.

Linturi called on all actors within the sector to work together and contribute to the transformation of the livestock sector with projected annual growth of 4.3 per cent in the Arabian Peninsula export market.