Thika’s meat supply chain is on the brink of disruption after a prolonged power outage left the town’s main slaughterhouse in darkness for more than two months.
Butchers say the blackout, caused by a Sh36,000 unpaid electricity bill, has crippled operations. The bill, they claim, is owed by the Kiambu County Government to Kenya Power.
Led by their chairman Stephen Mwangi, the traders said the lack of lighting has forced them to delay slaughtering, pushing back supply to customers and creating security fears.
“We receive animals for slaughter around 2am, but with the darkness, we fear they might be stolen. Security has been paralysed,” Mwangi said.
The butchers, who pay daily levies to the county government, accuse it of failing to intervene despite repeated appeals. They say meat is going to waste due to lack of refrigeration, forcing some to dispose of unsold stock.
“The county revenue officers arrive as early as 5am to collect revenue. Why do they collect it if they can’t settle our electricity bill?” Mwangi questioned.
The group is now urging Governor Kimani Wamatangi to personally visit and resolve the crisis before it spirals into a full-blown supply shortage affecting residents.
However, Kiambu Deputy Speaker John Njiru denied the county is responsible for paying the slaughterhouse bill, saying the obligation lies with the butchers. He said a meeting will be convened to address the issue.
