NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 26 – Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has challenged Kenya to unlock the full potential of its Sh397 billion meat industry by investing in value addition, processing, technology and premium export markets.

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Kagwe said Kenya’s livestock sector had reached a strategic turning point, with a large livestock base, growing domestic demand, entrepreneurial capacity and geographical advantage providing a strong foundation for regional and international competitiveness.

Speaking during the official opening of the Kenya Meat Expo 2026, the CS said the country produced 613,627 tonnes of meat in 2024, valued at approximately Sh397 billion.

He said meat production increased by 10.2 per cent in volume and 30.5 per cent in value compared with 2023.

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Beef accounted for about 260,000 tonnes valued at Sh160 billion, while significant opportunities exist in goat meat, mutton, poultry, camel meat, pork and emerging value chains such as rabbit meat.

Kagwe, however, said Kenya must do more to retain value within the country, warning that continued export of live animals deprives Kenyans of employment and business opportunities.

“When we export the animals, then we are sending out jobs. We are exporting jobs to Europe. We are exporting jobs to Dubai. We are exporting jobs to the Middle East,” he said.

The CS called for increased investment in meat processing, branding and product development to enable Kenya to export finished meat products and ensure farmers and pastoralists earn more from their livestock.

Kagwe said Kenya has approximately 2,000 slaughter facilities, comprising 49 large slaughterhouses, 322 medium slaughterhouses and about 1,530 slaughter slabs.

He said the priority should now shift from expanding the number of facilities to improving their quality, efficiency and capacity utilisation.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya