A Turkish company, Ms Cemsan Makina on Wednesday signed a contract with Kenya Meat Commission to conduct a technical audit of the company’s abattoirs.
The exercise conducted at the company’s headquarters in Athi River town was witnessed by the Turkish envoy, Ambassador Deniz Eke.
Speaking during the contract signing, KMC Managing Commissioner Joseph Learamo said the consultants will conduct a feasibility study, draft specifications and requirements, tender documentation, supervision of upgrading and commissioning of KMC abattoirs both in KMC’s Athi River plant and its branch in Kibarani, Mombasa.
“Modernization starts with conducting a technical audit of the plant, machinery and equipment. This will entail establishing the condition of the current plant, machine and equipment. Identify those requiring repair or replacement for being obsolete or overtaken by technological advancement,” said Learamo.
“The Kenya Meat Commission started in 1953 and has largely been operating a very old plant, this has impacted negatively efficiency and effectiveness due to frequent machine breakdowns owing to the archaic equipment. KMC seeks to modernize its factory in order to improve efficiency and be able to produce competitively for the global market,” said Learamo.
Learamo said the KMC’s strategic plan 2015 – 2020 provides for modernization of the abattoir and requires that the management undertake modernization to improve efficiency by June 2016.
Learamo said once the technical audit is completed and report issued to KMC in a month’s time, actual refurbishment of the plant, machines and equipment will immediately take effect to ensure a fully fledged operational slaughter houses.