The Kenya Meat Commission is modernising its Athi River factory to enhance efficiency and will let go 115 workers.
The current staff is 415.
Managing commissioner Joseph Learamo told the Star in the factory on Monday they are carrying out basic repairs and replacing technical machinery.
“We will separate 115 employees so the idle capacity is reduced,” Learamo said.
“With 300 employees, we will be able to effectively manage our wage bill according to production levels.”
Learamo denied claims the board of directors wants to build a new factory.
“The board’s stand is to modernise the existing plant,” he said.
Learamo said the company has started painting the Athi factory and repairing sinks and taps.
KMC worked with the Kenya School of Government to develop a financial turnaround plan, the commissioner said.
Learamo said the plan is already working, citing progress since he took over as managing commissioner.
He said the company reduced payment periods to livestock suppliers from 90 days to three weeks.
Learamo said this has improved supply and raised meat sales from less that Sh4 million to between Sh39 million and Sh45 million a month.
He said the company has expanded its markets to include the Parliamentary Service Commission and several public schools and universities.
