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"id": 467758,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/467758/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Okong’o",
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"speaker": {
"id": 948,
"legal_name": "Kennedy Mong'are Okong'o",
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me this opportunity to second this Motion which has candidly been moved by my sister, Sen. Lesuuda. The country is experiencing intense challenges caused by urbanization which lead to high unemployment levels and poverty, among other things. In cognizant of these facts, the county governments should embark on investing in existing industries with the aim of addressing these challenges. Livestock production is one of the oldest industries in the country and there is high demand for beef products both locally and abroad. For instance, Nairobi and Mombasa have the highest per capita meat consumption within Kenya. Nairobi consumes up to 25.8 kilogrammes per person annually, which is much lower than the recommended 40 kilogrammes by the world health standards. This demonstrates that there is a high potential market for livestock products which requires a monthly supply of approximately 27,829 head of cattle, 71,555 sheep and goats and 685 camels to Nairobi. Mombasa is another important terminal market alongside Nairobi for livestock from pastoral areas, particularly North Eastern Province. Mombasa’s annual consumption is estimated to be at 21.8 kilogrammes per person. This was in 2011. This requires a monthly supply of 8,178 heads of cattle, 21,210 sheep and goats and 201 camels. This is just an estimate that was done and is called End Market Analysis of Kenya Livestock and Meat by the USAID in 2010. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Kenya has experienced an important increase in meat exports since 2005, particularly following the re-opening of the KMC’s abattoir as an export licensed facility for use by private exporters. We have seen an increment in this. But on the other hand, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are Kenya’s most consistent market for meat exports in recent years. However, in 2010 several large markets were opened or expanded. These include Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Somalia and Egypt. Kenya is only a minor exporter of livestock with the number of head exported never exceeding 7,500 in a given year. The only significant markets are Mauritius and Burundi which import Kenyan cattle and goats, respectively. Statistics indicate that Kenya is losing its international market to its competitors like Brazil and Australia who enjoy low production costs due to modernization, enabling environment resulting in a pricing competitive edge over Kenya’s meat despite the fact that we produce high quality meat with no chemical or hormonal contamination. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, one kilogramme of local meat trades at Kshs360 vis- à-vis Kshs315 in other markets. There is increased export potential from emerging markets like Canada and the United States of America (USA) in 2011. In the USA, beef price rose by 11 per cent and the USA Department of Agriculture projected another rise of 5 per cent in 2012. In view of this, opportunities will be available in the local market if we modernize county governments in terms of livestock sector. In view of these market opportunities, county governments should address the production cost of local meat resulting from hard conditions, long maturity periods due to lack of feeds, logistics, The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}