The Kirinyaga County Government, in partnership with the National Government, has embarked on a comprehensive training program for butchers on properly handling hides and skins, in a move aimed at revitalising the county's economy.

The initiative, dubbed "Linda Ngozi," seeks to enhance the quality of raw materials for the burgeoning leather industry.

A total of 197 butchers and flayers, alongside 20 county livestock department officials, participated in the training held at the Kibingo Slaughterhouse in Kerugoya. T

he program covered essential aspects of flaying, including appropriate techniques, the use of specialized tools and equipment, and adherence to stringent abattoir standards.

This initiative aligns perfectly with Governor Anne Waiguru's vision for the county's economic growth.

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The governor has championed the development of an industrial park in Sagana, which will prominently feature a dedicated leather industry.

Recognizing the immense potential of this sector, Governor Waiguru envisions a future where Kirinyaga can significantly contribute to the national economy through leather exports and domestic production.

"We are committed to going beyond just uniforms. Our next step is to ensure that every child receives a pair of shoes," Governor Waiguru stated during the launch of free Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) uniforms.

"We will work with the Agriculture and Livestock Department to educate slaughterhouse and abattoir operators on processing of animal skins for shoe production. We want to give each and every child a pair to go to school."

Dr. John Gachara, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Livestock, emphasized the strategic significance of this initiative stating that Kirinyaga County boasts 52 slaughterhouses, and has equipping its personnel with the necessary skills which are is paramount to ensuring the production of high-quality hides and skins

"We are working closely with the State Department of Livestock to ensure that the leather industry thrives. By teaching proper techniques right from the farm, we can guarantee that our hides and skins meet the highest standards, unlocking great value for our farmers and traders," Gachara said.

"With the establishment of the leather industry at the Sagana Industrial Park, this initiative will empower Kirinyaga residents to tap into the multi-billion-shilling leather industry and secure a brighter economic future for our county."

Margaret Wakuthii, Kirinyaga County Leather Development Officer, highlighted the crucial role of proper flaying techniques in preserving skin quality.

"The Linda Ngozi Initiative is focused on equipping our butchers with the knowledge and tools to effectively flay hides and skins without causing damage," Wakuthii explained.

"By improving flaying techniques, we can help increase the quality of the skins and hides produced in Kirinyaga, which have a huge potential in the leather industry."

Wakuthii underscored the substantial economic potential of the leather sector in Kirinyaga, estimating that the county produces approximately 14,000 skins and hides annually.

With proper value addition, the industry could generate an estimated Sh300 million annually for the region.

The Acting Director of the Leather Development Office, Norah Chemirmir, echoed the government's commitment to transforming the national leather industry.

"Our mission is to empower the leather value chain by conducting capacity-building and sensitization activities to flayers across the country," Chemirmir stated.

"This will ensure players in the industry are equipped to produce high-quality hides and skins."

The training provided butchers with specialized flaying knives and certificates of participation, garnering positive feedback from participants.

"This training will not only help us improve our skills but also enable more people in the community to earn a living by properly handling skins and hides," remarked Idd Abdulrahman, a butcher at the Kibingo slaughterhouse.

David Kanake, another participant, expressed gratitude for receiving the appropriate tools for the job.

"This will undoubtedly improve the quality of our work and enable the hides to generate more income for the community," he stated.

This initiative marks a significant step towards realizing Kirinyaga County's vision of a thriving leather industry, contributing to economic growth and creating sustainable livelihoods for its residents.