Kirinyaga county has partnered with the national government to train butchers on better handling of hides and skins to grow the leather industry.
The training that was conducted at Kibingo slaughterhouse in Kerugoya brought together 197 butchers and flayers as well as 20 staffers from the county livestock department.
The capacity building is part of the government’s Linda Ngozi initiative that aims to improve the quality of hides and skins to support a competitive leather products manufacturing.
Butchers were trained in the appropriate methods of flaying, tools and equipment and abattoir standards, and how to avoid damage while handling raw skins and hides.
The training comes at a time the county is spearheading the development of an industrial park that will accommodate more processors.
“The leather industry has great potential of turning around the county’s economy due to high demand fuelled by local leather producers and exporters,” Governor Anne Waiguru said.
Her administration has embarked on distributing uniforms and shoes to ECDE learners.
The country intends to use skins from slaughterhouses for production of the shoes at the Exports Processing Zone and Industrial Park in Sagana.
“We are committed to going beyond just uniforms. Our next step is to ensure that every child receives a pair of shoes. We’ll work with the agriculture and livestock department to educate slaughterhouse and abattoir operators on processing of animal skins for shoe production.”
The county has also trained farmers on how to maintain healthy skins of their animals through proper disease and pest control.
Agriculture executive John Gachara said Kirinyaga has 52 slaughterhouses whose butchers and flayers have now been equipped with the relevant skills to maintain high quality hides and skins.
“We are working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure the leather industry thrives. By teaching proper techniques right from the farm, we can guarantee that our hides and skins meet the highest standards, unlocking great value for our farmers and traders,” he said.
The establishment of the leather industry at the Sagana Industrial Park, Gachara said, will empower Kirinyaga residents to tap into the multibillion-shilling leather industry and secure a brighter economic future.
County leather development officer Margaret Wakuthii emphasised the importance of proper flaying techniques to maintain quality of skins and hides.
She explained that the initiative is not only about teaching butchers the right skills but also about ensuring butchers have a proper knives, which are essential for the task.
“The Linda Ngozi initiative is focused on equipping butchers with the knowledge and tools to effectively flay hides and skins without causing damage,” Wakuthii said.
“By improving flaying techniques, we can help increase the quality of the skins and hides produced that have a huge potential in the leather industry.”
The initiatiev aims to professionalise the flaying process, thus creating sustainable employment. Wakuthii said the county produces about 14,000 skins and hides annually and has the potential to generate up to Sh300 million.
Acting director of the Leather Development Council Norah
Chemirmir said the government
is committed to empowering the
leather value chain by conducting
capacity building and sensitisation
of flayers across the country.
