Natembeya to build Sh26m poultry slaughterhouse in Trans Nzoia

A Sh26 million poultry slaughterhouse with the capacity to process 30,000 chickens daily will soon be established in Trans Nzoia County.

This initiative aims to boost farmers' earnings and reduce exploitation by middlemen.

Ms Phanice Khatundi, the County Executive Committee Member responsible for Agriculture, said that the facility is being developed by the Trans Queens and Kings Chicken Farmers Cooperative in partnership with the county government and the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP).

She emphasised that the slaughterhouse will revolutionise chicken farming, increase farmers' earnings, and eliminate exploitation by middlemen.

“This slaughterhouse represents a crucial step forward. It’s not just about slaughtering chickens; it’s about empowering farmers, creating jobs, and reducing our dependence on poultry imports,” Khatundi remarked during the Ushirika Day celebrations at Kitale Museum on Saturday.

Once completed, the facility will feature a modern cold storage system to ensure that chicken meat is hygienically preserved while awaiting market demand.

Khatundi noted that this enhancement will significantly boost value addition and open up export opportunities.

“We are developing a system where chickens will be slaughtered, packaged, and sent straight to the market—fresh, clean, and ready.

This will stabilise prices and provide fair returns to farmers,” Khatundi added.

Hosea Serem, the county's Director of Cooperatives, said that poultry lovers will now have access to fresh gizzards and other chicken parts, thanks to the improved processing line.

He encouraged farmers to channel their supplies through the Trans Queens Cooperative for better coordination and profitability.

Julia Ngeiywa, Chairperson of the Trans Queens and Kings Cooperative Society, highlighted the project's role in empowering women and youth across all 25 wards in the county.

“This slaughterhouse will process up to 30,000 chickens daily, which means our farmers will have a ready market, protected from exploitation by middlemen,” Ngeiywa stated.

However, farmers have expressed concerns over the high cost of feed, which is shrinking their profit margins.

Ngeiywa assured that plans are in place to establish a local feed formulation centre to help reduce production costs.

“We intend to manufacture our own feed locally and set up a modern hatchery to ensure that farmers have access to affordable, healthy chicks,” she added.

Support from international partners like Heifer International has provided training and capacity-building opportunities for farmers, improving poultry rearing practices in the region.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya mentioned a green investment initiative that will transform poultry feathers into organic fertiliser.

This effort aims to enhance productivity, improve farmer incomes, and promote environmental sustainability.

“We are attracting investors from Slovakia who plan to establish an organic factory to convert poultry feathers into valuable fertiliser.

This project will not only improve soil fertility but also support sustainable agricultural practices throughout the region,” Natembeya said.