Kenya is targeting to expand construction of abattoirs in 15 arid and semi arid counties to cushion livestock keepers from losses when drought strikes.
Speaking in West Pokot County during the launch of a 161 million shillings abattoir, Devolution Cabinet Secretary says the government will seek partnerships with development partners to accelerate the project which will also target to lift affected persons out of poverty.
The Nasukuta export abattoir is a flagship project which will benefit the neighboring counties of Turkana, Baringo and the Karamoja cluster from Uganda.
The European Union is funding phase two of the project which initially started in 2010 but was later halted as during the transition period.
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The European Union head of development cooperation delegation to the republic of Kenya Herbert Peru said they are funding 15 counties in the country with similar projects with the aim of changing the livelihood of people living in marginalized counties.
CS devolution and Asal areas Eugene Wamalwa said that such key projects will reduce the dependency on relief food to drought resilience areas so as to provide sufficient foods especially to counties hit hard by drought.
He also added that they are investing in the abattoir so that it can be a leading producer of high quality meat in Kenya.
The West Pokot abattoir will cost Kshs 161 million.