H.E. Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu has traversed Naikarra, Loita and Narok town Wards, commissioning the Olpusimoru sale yard in Naikarra ward and conducting inspection tours of Ilkerin sale yard in Loita ward and Limanet sale yard in Narok town ward. The purpose of these inspection tours was to lay groundwork and to ascertain the readiness of the county to supply the raw materials– livestock — needed to keep the abattoir functioning at optimum levels once it becomes operational.

In the company of some of the key investors in the sector, Mr. Mario Mancini and Mr. Marcelo, from Botswana and senior county government staff, Governor Ntutu expressed Narok county government’s enthusiasm towards the project noting that 90 acres of land has already been set aside at the Limanet slaughterhouse grounds for the construction of the abattoir and modern feeding lots. 

To underscore the readiness of the county government of Narok towards this venture, Olpusimoru sale yard for example, which is the largest sale yard in the County, has the capacity to hold 1,000 cattle and 5,000 goats and sheep, accommodating up to 3,500 traders. Its proximity to the Kenya-Tanzania border gives it this competitive advantage. Ilkerin saleyard, on the other hand, can hold up to 1000 cattle and over 800 goats and sheep. This yard plays an important role in the economy of the area as it supports over 5000 households. It is also equipped with public washrooms and an administration office.

The Limanet slaughterhouse has also served the residents of Narok municipality for decades now. The construction of a modern abattoir at the facility will expand its capacity, elevate the status of Narok county on matters of value addition and increase employment opportunities for the people of Narok county. The facility has also undergone notable face lifts over the past year with the establishment of a borehole at the facility and uninterrupted power supply.

The above mentioned sale yards are among the over 30 sale yards that are spread across the County. Livestock holds a central place in the lives of the people of Narok, transcending economic, religious, and cultural practices. It is crucial to commercialize this vital aspect of the Maasai community to enhance and sustain our livelihoods.

So far, the construction of the first ever industrial park in Narok County is ongoing. The industrial park, whose construction began in September last year, is a joint project between the County Government of Narok and the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade, and Enterprise Development. The industrial park covers 150 acres of land and will include Mega warehouses on 100 acres of land, Cold rooms, Management Offices, a borehole, and a perimeter wall.

The new Narok Industrial park is the much-needed intervention in order to revolutionize economic operations in the County, effectively propelling Narok County into an industrial and processing hub — a promise that Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu’s administration is determined to keep. The employment opportunities that the construction of this park will provide to the people of Narok County, ending post-harvest losses, and the overall impact on livelihoods are just some of the positive ripple effects that this project presents to the people of Narok County.

The ample storage for agricultural produce and the manufacturing component offered by this facility will ensure that agricultural productivity is optimized in Narok County, one intervention at a time.