Kenchic to open branded butcheries across Kenya to increase access to traceable meat

KENYA – Kenchic has started rolling out its own branded butcheries in several urban and peri-urban areas in Kenya in a move to formalise meat distribution and offer consistent quality to consumers.

The butcheries, named Kenchic Mtaani, have already been launched in locations such as Rongai, Utawala, Syokimau, Thika, Karen, Eldoret, and Narok.

By operating these outlets directly, the company is looking to manage more of the meat supply process, from the farm level all the way to the point of sale.

Kenchic says it selected the locations based on the volume of pedestrian movement and their closeness to expanding residential neighbourhoods.

According to Managing Director Jim Tozer, the decision was influenced by growing public concern over food safety, especially in the meat sector, and the need for reliable, healthy options.

All the new butcheries currently sell Halaal-approved chicken and beef, and there are ongoing plans to introduce other types of meat, including goat, lamb, and fish.

Kenya’s chicken consumption per person remains relatively low compared to global levels, which the company sees as an opportunity to grow the market by offering affordable and clean meat options.

Although Kenchic has not revealed how much it is spending on the new outlets or how many will eventually be opened, the company’s latest strategy suggests a long-term interest in branded retail.

Focus on food safety and distribution

The company says the new network will allow it to maintain quality standards and ensure traceability, addressing increasing consumer concerns about hygiene in the meat supply chain.

The informal meat sector in Kenya remains largely unmonitored, and Kenchic’s formal entry through its butcheries is expected to challenge smaller, unregulated operators.

While there is no official word on whether prices will differ across locations, the company has indicated that it aims to serve the wider public by pricing its products for the mass market.

Each Kenchic Mtaani outlet is stocked with pre-packaged meat products aimed at improving cleanliness and reducing the risk of contamination.

With meat safety now a key concern for many Kenyan households, Kenchic’s retail expansion could reshape how meat is bought and sold in the country.

At the time of the announcement, Kenchic had not disclosed specific figures on how much has been invested in the project or when further outlets might open.

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