By John Majau.
Isiolo abattoir once operational will be an economic game changer by creating opportunities for county residents in the tannery industry, animal feeds, and meat processing.
Isiolo County Agriculture CECM Jusuf Mohamed affirmed that the ravaging droughts that led to the loss of 50% of the county livestock particularly cattle would have been evaded if the Abattoir was functional.
“I am sure if our abattoir was operational, we would have cushioned our herders from the huge losses occasioned by current severe drought,’’ Yusuf Said.
Isiolo County Agriculture chief officer Salad Tatana said in the initial stages of operation, the Abattoir would accommodate slaughtering of about 1000 goats, 200 heads of cattle and 100 camels per day.
Isiolo resident’s source of income is largely attributed to livestock husbandry mainly cattle, goats and camel.
Salad pointed out that access to both local and international markets for meat and value-added meat products will be a key benefit among other gains.
Isiolo County Secretary Dadhe Boru accompanied by other dignitaries held successful meeting with the National Project coordination unit (NCPU) to expedite the remaining bit.
According to Boru the abattoir is poised to create hundreds of job opportunities for the local youths.
Boru further expressed Governor Abdi Ibrahim’s commitment to fully operationalize the abattoir.
“Governor Abdi is passionate about the abattoir and wants it operation soonest possible. He has due to the current drought suspended all developments project but has given his blessings for funds to be utilized in the completion of the abattoir,’’ Boru said.
The adverse effect of climate change coupled with the failure over the years to access the international market have both subjected the resident to huge losses.
Mr. John Nginyagi the chair of NCPU said that his team was impressed by the progress made but asked that works on its operationalization be expedited.
“We are happy with the progress made so far on the Isiolo abattoir but we would like to see that these are done at a faster phase without compromising on quality as expected by the world bank,’’ Nginyagi said.
He noted that the abattoir holds great potential for economic transformation of Isiolo County.
