A high-level County delegation has visited the Kenya Meat Commission plant in Athi River on a benchmarking and partnership-building mission aimed at exploring areas of collaboration in modern livestock processing, value addition, quality assurance and access to lucrative domestic and international meat markets.

The delegation was led by Hon. Risper Chepkonga, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock and Blue Economy, representing Governor Benjamin Cheboi. The team was hosted by KMC Managing Commissioner Major General Jattani Gula, Chief Operations Officer Brigadier Clement Nyakundi and the Commission's senior management.

The proposed partnership comes against the backdrop of Baringo's immense livestock potential, with cattle, goats and sheep forming a significant part of the county's agricultural economy and livelihoods. However, much of this potential remains untapped, with opportunities for improved market access, commercial meat processing, value addition and better returns to livestock farmers.

The operationalisation of the Maoi Abattoir is therefore expected to provide a critical foundation for transforming livestock production from predominantly traditional marketing systems into a more structured, commercially viable and competitive industry.

During the visit, the delegation toured KMC's facilities to gain insights into modern meat processing systems, livestock value-chain management, quality assurance and the Commission's operational turnaround.

The team examined high-capacity slaughtering and processing lines for beef and specialised meat cuts destined for both domestic retail and export markets. Particular attention was given to automated slaughtering systems, cold-chain infrastructure, carcass grading, food safety standards and biosecurity measures necessary for producing quality meat that meets market requirements.

Discussions also explored how Baringo could leverage KMC's technical expertise, institutional capacity and established market networks to strengthen the operations of the Maoi Abattoir and position local livestock products for wider market penetration.

For Baringo, the ambition goes beyond establishing a functional slaughter facility. It is about building an integrated livestock value chain that connects farmers to reliable markets, promotes commercial production, creates employment and ensures that greater value from the county's livestock resources remains within the local economy.

A strategic partnership with KMC is expected to provide an opportunity to bridge critical gaps in technical capacity, meat processing, standards compliance, market linkages and the development of a sustainable livestock industry.

The initiative aligns with the County Government's broader agenda of strengthening agricultural productivity, expanding value addition and improving household incomes through the commercialization of key agricultural value chains.