Researchers have warned of deadly germs in most of the popular ‘mutura’ sold in Nairobi stating that “it could make you very sick".
A researcher from the University of Nairobi, in a report published on October 23, warned that more than half of cooked or uncooked ‘mutura’ sold in Nairobi was highly infected with disease-causing germs.
The report read in part, “Our study shows roasted and non-roasted African sausages sold in meat outlets in Nairobi County are contaminated with staphylococcus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Proteus, and E coli organisms.”
According to the researchers led by Henry Karoki Wambui from the university’s veterinary department, these germs pose a severe food safety risk to customers.
The researcher had collected 100 samples of ‘mutura’ from different eatery points in Westlands market, Kangemi market and Pangani estate and found proof of all the five types of bacteria in 80 per cent of the tested specimens.
“We found, Staphylococcus spp at 50.4 per cent, Bacillus spp at 19.5 per cent, Streptococcus spp 9.8 per cent, Proteus spp 2.4 per cent, and E coli spp at 1.6 per cent,” the report further stated.
Some of the bacteria found in the delicacy were found to produce hazardous toxins that can cause a sudden onset of illness in humans within three to four hours of ingestion.
Such contaminations are characterised by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea as the major indications which an individual can experience after consumption.
Despite it being prepared in unsanitary conditions, the researchers noted that ‘mutura’ remained a much sought-after delicacy although it remains an uncontrolled ready-to-eat meat in most towns.
“Food safety enforcement authorities, therefore, need to scale up inspection of establishments where African sausages are prepared and sold,” the health experts warn.
