President Uhuru Kenyatta today presided over the re-opening of the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) meat processing factory in Athi River, Machakos County.

The president first paid a courtesy call at the KMC depot on Landhies road in Nairobi reopened it before proceeding to the Athi River processing factory.

Uhuru Kenyatta at KMC Landhies Road depot. PHOTO/COURTESY

The KMC processing facility has been restored by the Kenya Defense Force (KDF) after ministerial responsibilities over the KMC were transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Defense.

The government-owned meat processor suffered challenges, with the main one being lack of market, aging processing plant, delayed payment of farmers resulting in an unreliable supply of raw materials.

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Uhuru touring the KMC Athi River factory. PHOTO/COURTESY

KMC accrued a Sh1.1 billion in debts with farmers’ debt totaling SH254.4 million and unresolved payroll deductions amounting to Sh144 million.

However, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) strongly opposed the government’s move to place the KMC under the KDF and filed an application in court seeking an order to quash the decision.

Uhuru's arrival at the KMC Athi River factory. PHOTO/COURTESY

A section of the senate was also outraged by the move and termed it inappropriate, since it also lacked public participation.

Reports indicate that since the takeover of KMC by the KDF, livestock farmers and workers are impressed by KDF’s managerial approaches.

The number of cows taken to KMC has increased to 1000 weekly, and payments are processed within 72 hours.