Introduction

Livestock sector

Kenya’s livestock sector is primed to grow exponentially over the next three decades and anchor the
country’s food sufficiency amid a rapid rise in the human population,

The livestock sub-sector contributes over 30% of the farm gate value of agricultural commodities, about
12% of the national GDP and at least 50% of the agricultural GDP. The sector employs about 50% of the
agricultural labour force. 

Cattle, goats, and sheep are the most common types of livestock in Kenya, and they play a critical role in
the country's agricultural landscape. According to the latest statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of
Statistics, as of 2021:

 Cattle population: Kenya had a total cattle population of 19.9 million heads, which is an increase
of 1.2% from the previous year.
 Goat population: The total number of goats in Kenya was 34.7 million heads, which is an
increase of 3.1% from the previous year.
 Sheep population: The total sheep population in Kenya was 18.8 million heads, which is a 2.6%
increase from the previous year.

Livestock production in Kenya is dominated by smallholder farmers, with the majority of animals kept in
extensive production systems, where they graze on communal land. However, the sector faces
numerous challenges, including limited access to veterinary services, inadequate market access, low
productivity, and poor quality of animal products

To address these challenges, the Kenyan government has implemented various initiatives to improve
livestock production, such as the Livestock Master Plan, which aims to increase livestock productivity,
improve market access, and promote the use of technology and innovation in the sector.

Market Analysis

Kenya has very few meat processing companies that produce quality meat products for the local and
international markets. The total number of approved slaughterhouses in Kenya specifically for export is
10, with only 1 of those being located at EPZ.

The Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula are the primary markets for East Africa’s cattle exports.
According to export statistics, Kenya’s meat and meat products exports in 2020 amounted to USD 65.4
million. The products mainly include goat and sheep meat which comprises 85.3 percent of total meat
export, meat from bovine animals including cows (7.1 percent), meat from edible offal (2.4 percent),
meat and offal from fowls, rabbits, turkeys, among others.

The top five export markets include United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, South Sudan and
Kuwait.
Slaughterhouses in Kenya face several challenges, including:

While there are several licensed slaughterhouses, many of them are in poor condition and do not meet
international standards for animal welfare, hygiene, and sanitation. The challenges are highlighted
below:

1. Poor infrastructure: Most slaughterhouses in Kenya are poorly designed and lack adequate
infrastructure, such as drainage systems, water supply, and waste disposal facilities. This can
lead to unsanitary conditions and health hazards for workers and consumers.
2. Inadequate equipment: Many slaughterhouses lack modern and appropriate equipment for
processing and handling animals, which can result in poor quality meat and reduce efficiency.
3. Lack of hygiene and sanitation: Hygiene and sanitation standards are often inadequate in many
Kenyan slaughterhouses. This can result in contamination of meat products, posing serious
health risks to consumers.
4. Low levels of animal welfare: Many animals in Kenyan slaughterhouses are not treated
humanely, leading to stress and fear, which can negatively impact the quality of meat produced.
5. Poor regulation and enforcement: The regulatory framework for slaughterhouses in Kenya is
often weak, leading to poor enforcement of existing regulations and standards. This can result in
unscrupulous operators flouting regulations and putting public health at risk.
6. Limited market access: Many Kenyan slaughterhouses face challenges accessing local and
international markets due to poor quality control standards and inadequate infrastructure.

The Kenyan government has recognized these challenges and is working to address them through
various initiatives. For example, the government has established the Meat Control Act and Regulations
to regulate slaughterhouses and ensure compliance with international standards. Additionally, the
government is investing in the construction of modern abattoirs and upgrading existing ones to meet
international standards. However, more needs to be done to ensure that slaughterhouses in Kenya meet
the required standards and produce high-quality meat products that are safe for consumption.

Rationale for establishing a slaughterhouse and meat processing plant in EPZ Kenya

This section will Explain the economic, social and environmental viability of establishing the proposed
slaughterhouses and meat processing facility in EPZ Athi River Kenya:

1. Economic factors

Livestock farming is a dominant occupation of the farming community in Kenya especially Arid and semi-
arid regions in Kenya, and there are abundant livestock and dairy resources for local consumption as
well as for export purposes. Kenya’s geostrategic location, being a regional hub with several
international airlines doing daily flights provides a huge potential for the meat sector especially for
export purposes. Animals slaughtered in a food safety compliant manner will increase the products shelf
life and as a result it could also be sold to local high-end markets. Properly packaged meat will also be
sold at a higher margin which can also further improve the livelihood of actors involved in the value
chain. For international export, the application of adequate product packaging, complying with internal
standards and establishment of a traceability scheme will go a long way in promoting exports from the
facility .
 1.1 Government incentives for the sector: The Kenyan government offers various incentives to the
agricultural sector, including the establishment of slaughterhouses. These incentives include tax
holidays, duty-free imports of machinery and equipment, and other financial incentives for
companies that invest in the sector. Additionally, the government has established policies and
regulations to support the meat processing industry, such as the Meat Control Act, which
ensures the quality and safety of meat products. Furthermore, the government has
established various agencies such as the Kenya Meat Commission, Kenya Livestock
Marketing Council, and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
(KALRO) to support the sector.
1.2 Export potential especially to GCC market: The establishment of a slaughterhouse in
Kenya presents a significant opportunity for the country to export meat products to the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market. The GCC market is a major importer of meat
products, and Kenya's strategic location provides a competitive advantage in accessing
this market. Additionally, Kenya is known for producing high-quality beef, mutton etc.
and the establishment of a slaughterhouse will help to enhance the country's export
capacity.
1.3 Role of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in promoting meat export: The Export Processing
Zone (EPZ) provides a conducive environment for the establishment of export-oriented
industries. The establishment of a slaughterhouse in an EPZ provides an opportunity for
investors to access various incentives, including tax exemptions, import duty waivers,
and streamlined export procedures. This provides a conducive environment for the
establishment of a slaughterhouse and enhances Kenya's export capacity.

2. Social factors: The establishment of a slaughterhouse in Kenya presents various social benefits,
including:
 Improvement of livelihoods for majority of livestock farmers in arid and semi-arid
regions in Kenya who are mostly small scale farmers: The establishment of a
slaughterhouse will create a market for livestock farmers, especially those in the arid
and semi-arid regions, who are often marginalized and have limited access to markets.
This will help to improve their livelihoods and reduce poverty.
 Creation of jobs for mostly youth who are highly affected by unemployment in Kenya:
The establishment of a slaughterhouse will create job opportunities, especially for the
youth who are highly affected by unemployment in Kenya. This will help to reduce youth
unemployment and provide an opportunity for skills development and career growth.
 Other relevant social factors relevant in Kenya: The establishment of a slaughterhouse
will help to promote food security by increasing the availability of meat products in the
country since 30% of product from EPZ can be locally consumed in the Kenyan market.
Additionally, it will promote value addition and reduce post-harvest losses.

3. Environmental Factors:

Establishing a slaughterhouse must prioritize environmentally sustainable practices to ensure minimal

impact on the local ecosystem and the proposed NLI Quality meats EPZ limited slaughter house will pay
particular attention to all environment factors. This will include proper waste management practices,
such as the safe disposal of animal waste and wastewater. The slaughterhouse will also adopt
environmentally friendly technologies such as renewable energy sources, to reduce the use of fossil
fuels and minimize the carbon footprint. Additionally, the establishment of the proposed
slaughterhouse will follow environmental impact assessment guidelines to ensure that it complies with
the country's environmental regulations and promotes sustainability.

Proposed Slaughterhouse and Meat processing Facility key processes and equipment

This section will outline the procedure, design and setup, quality control and additional factors required
for the establishment of the proposed slaughterhouse.

The slaughtering and meat processing process is summarized in the diagram below:

Fig x Process flow chart

Capacity and production
The capacity of the plant is planned to process x,000 sheep and goats and y00 cattle per day with
the possibility of expanding with a processing department.

Site, approx. 85,000 m²

Building sizes, approx. 40,000 m²

Number of employees, approx. 400

Time schedule
The building works are planned to start in July 2023 and by the end of 2024, the production starts
up.

Production standards
The slaughterhouse will comply with the standards of the European Union and  the GCC halal meat
export guidelines for slaughtering, cutting, de-boning and hygiene for producing quality meat
products for Kenya

Facilities will be made for collection and separation of animal by-products according to the EU by-
product regulation “Health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human
consumption” EU 1069/2009 and GCC Guide For Control On Imported Foods

Environmental standards
Equipment and processes will be chosen according to the EU environmental standards for
slaughterhouses, BREF (11.03) "Best Available Techniques in the Slaughterhouses and Animal By-
Product Industries".

Consumption and emission will be within the ranges stated in the EU BREF (the above-mentioned
standard).

Odour
The most odorous departments such as lairage and the first part of the slaughter line will be placed
at the west end of the site. Odour will be collected from the ventilation system from all facilities and
send through a bio filter before the cleaned air is send up in the air. This will ensure that the odour
concentration caused by the slaughterhouse will be at an acceptable level.