- Bachuma centre is positioned to connect livestock farmers with international export markets
- County-backed investment plans aim to give farmers a stake in the livestock value chain
- Traceability and water infrastructure are being prioritised to support export readiness
Taita-Taveta County has taken a major step toward transforming its livestock sector, with the handover of the Bachuma Livestock Export Processing Zone (LEPZ) to private investor Blue Mountain Meat and Livestock Limited.
The ceremony, hosted by Governor Andrew Mwadime, marks a new phase in operationalising the Bachuma Livestock Quarantine Station (BLQS), touted as Kenya’s first facility of its kind. It brought together national and county government officials, livestock stakeholders and private sector representatives.
Bachuma was conceived under Vision 2030 to boost Kenya’s livestock export capacity, but construction stalled for years after breaking ground in 2015, despite significant public investment. Officials say the site will now play a central role in disease surveillance, livestock traceability, veterinary certification and compliance with international animal-health standards.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe, who presided over the handover, described the partnership between national government, county government and private investors as proof of what collaboration can achieve. He said the project would open new economic opportunities for farmers, traders and investors while strengthening Kenya’s access to international livestock markets.
Officials cited an offtake arrangement with the potential to absorb up to 100,000 cattle annually, a figure that aligns with the national target for livestock exports. A separate order for goats and sheep from South African buyers was valued at roughly Ksh2 billion, with the facility’s overall potential put at close to Ksh30 billion.
Beyond Taita-Taveta, Bachuma is expected to draw livestock from across the country and neighbouring states, positioning the county as a regional trade and export hub.
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To secure a steady livestock supply for export, the CS announced plans to register 15,000 farmers under the County Livestock Investment Company model. Farmers will contribute 30 percent of the Ksh10,000 shareholding cost, while the National Government finances the remaining 70 percent — split as Ksh3,000 from farmers and Ksh7,000 from Government.
The model is designed to give farmers direct ownership stakes in aggregating livestock, accessing export markets and sharing in profits through dividends or bonuses.
At the ceremony, the CS also launched the Animal Identification and Tracing system, known as AniTrac. The digital platform is meant to strengthen livestock traceability, support disease surveillance and help combat livestock theft, in addition to underpinning compliance with export-market health requirements.
Governor Mwadime welcomed the investment as transformative for the county’s economy, saying it would create jobs, attract investment and give local farmers direct access to lucrative new markets.
He revealed plans to work with the investor to establish an abattoir and tannery within the county, aimed at value addition beyond the livestock market itself. “Our vision goes beyond livestock market. We want to build a complete livestock value chain that supports processing, job creation, manufacturing and industrial growth,” he said.
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting county assets, land ownership rights and future revenue streams tied to the project.
Water availability featured prominently in discussions at the event. In response, the CS committed to a joint initiative between the State Department for Livestock Development, the State Department for Irrigation and the county government to identify sites for strategic water pans to support livestock production and resilience in the region.
Blue Mountain Meat and Livestock Limited Managing Director Dr. Mohamed Keinan pledged the company’s commitment to working with government institutions and local communities to make Bachuma a successful export and processing hub, adding that the company intends to prioritise local residents in employment opportunities created by the investment.
By Benedict Aoya
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