This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
On August 22, 2019, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) raised concerns over the lack of medical tests for public food handlers in Nairobi, despite collecting fees for the tests.
According to Robert Juma, KAM's regional co-ordinator for Nairobi, City Hall has not been conducting the tests and issuing valid medical certificates of good health, leaving the health status of most food handlers unknown.
There are only four licensed public laboratories in the county capable of conducting the testing, which are overstretched, meaning that food consumed in Nairobi is handled by people who are not tested.
Speaking at a public forum at City Hall, Mr Juma challenged the county public health department to digitise its systems for proper tracking of food handlers, testing, and issuance of medical certificates.
He stated, 'The certificates are not there and the tests are rarely done. This is a major risk to millions of residents because the health status of most of the practising food handlers remains unknown.'
Mr Juma also claimed that public health officers demand that food handlers comply with the six months testing cycle by paying the usual testing fees, and that those who do not pay are arrested.
