The government through the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock on Tuesday, April 16, unanimously directed a nationwide crackdown on illegal slaughters and related businesses.
The directive was issued following a high-level security meeting which was focused on enforcing livestock sector regulations to enhance food safety and national security.
This also comes against the background of a surge in incidents of the sale of contaminated food which has, in turn, resulted in food poisoning leading to illnesses and even deaths.
During the closed-door meeting, the Ministry of Interior directed County Commissioners to form a multi-agency team and begin enforcing the regulations deliberated during the meeting.
The county commissioners were further ordered to begin an immediate crackdown on illegal slaughter and other facilities that sell related commodities.
“Our objective is to fortify the food system by coordinating regulation and leadership efforts at regional and county levels, with progress monitored through regular reporting,” Interior PS Raymond Omollo noted.
Among the security organs that attended the meeting were the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Regional and County Commanders, and the Regional Director of Brooke East Africa.
Other things discussed during the meeting included the illicit trade of cattle which has been blamed as one cause of an increase in insecurity in the country.
The latest directive comes a month after the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA) initiated the closure of Kiamaiko slaughterhouses.
According to the authority, the move was triggered by a court order that directed the closure of the meat industry's services.
NEMA in its report stated the closure was due to longstanding concerns regarding the handling of blood and offal, as well as the improper treatment of wastewater discharge.
The Authority further noted that the slaughterhouses were operating in an unsanitary environment and further polluted the Nairobi river waters.
