This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
Published on December 13, 2019, Kisumu County government has taken a bold step to improve food safety by banning all unlicensed abattoirs across the devolved unit.
County Public Health Director Osborne Odero explained that the government's motive is to ensure high hygienic standards, particularly during the Christmas and New Year festivities when there is an increased demand for meat.
"With Christmas and New Year festivities upon us, there is increased demand for meat and we have to guarantee high hygienic standards here," said Odero, sending a warning to those without licenses and selling meat in filthy environments.
On Wednesday, Kisumu public health officials, together with county askaris, raided the illegal slaughter slabs in Rabuor, Otonglo, and Manyatta, arresting five people in the process.
According to Odero, the county wants to encourage butchers to take their animals to the licensed Mamboleo slaughter House, where they are charged Sh350 per cow, with Sh150 going to the vets and Sh200 to the county.
However, a butcher operator claimed that slaughtering at the illegal slabs costs them Sh150, with lower transport costs due to the proximity to their butcheries.
"Mamboleo slaughter house has the potential to handle up to 50 animals a day and small stocks. We can handle about 20 cows, 30 goats and sheep," said Odero.
The meat industry in Kenya is regulated by the Directorate of Veterinary Services under the State Department of Livestock in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
