KMC targets local market by opening shops in counties, says Managing Commissioner Gula

Kenya Meat Commission managing commissioner Maj. General Jattani Gula (R) with other officials during the official opening of a meat outlet in Kitengela, Kajiado county on August 26, 2025./GEORGE OWITI

The Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) has emphasized the need to boost local meat consumption before expanding into international markets.

Managing Commissioner Maj. General Jattani Gula said strengthening domestic sales would not only revive the struggling parastatal but also guarantee Kenyans access to safe and affordable meat.

“For the last 75 years, KMC has been struggling and still is. But the current strategy we are putting in place is to make sure KMC benefits all Kenyan farmers and meat consumers,” Gula said.

He was speaking Tuesday in Kitengela, Kajiado County, during the official launch of the commission’s new retail outlet branded Nyama Haven.

The shop is the first of its kind outside KMC’s main factory outlet in Athi River and its Jogoo Road branch in Nairobi.

“As part of reviving KMC, we are now moving towards opening meat havens across the country. From here, we are going to open more branches in other counties. This will help us improve cash flow, which has been one of our biggest challenges,” Gula noted.

He said Kajiado was a strategic location for the commission, given that most of its livestock supplies come from the county and neighboring Narok. He encouraged Kenyans to buy KMC products, assuring them of quality and safety.

“Our products are well packaged, free from external interference. This is just one Nyama Haven—more are coming,” he said.

KMC commissioner Agnes Leina hailed the new outlet as a milestone for pastoralist communities, particularly the Maa community in Kajiado.

“We are pastoralists, and meat is our staple food. To have a shop dedicated to KMC meat in Kajiado is a privilege. This is our first outlet, and to us it means recognition of pastoralist meat and a ready market for our livestock,” Leina said.

She noted that KMC meat is also cheaper, retailing at Sh470 per kilogram.

Kajiado County Trade Executive Leah Marias welcomed the move, describing the county as Kenya’s livestock hub.

“KMC has been far away for years, but today we finally have their outlet in our county, where the majority of their livestock comes from. This is the home of meat eaters, and here is where your customers are,” she said.

Marias added that the county has shifted towards modernized pastoralism, including livestock fattening for sale, to improve quality.

“Meat from Kajiado is among the sweetest in Kenya. Having it sold under the KMC label guarantees quality and legitimacy,” she said.

The commission now hopes that expanding its local footprint will not only win back consumer confidence but also position it for eventual entry into export market.