The government has established regulations that guide how motorists transport different domesticated animals and pets.
The rules that come with penalties are captured in Kenyan laws under the Animal Welfare Cap 360 on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act. The laws list cruel treatment of animals during transportation as a criminal offense that is punishable by law.
These strict guidelines give law enforcement officers manning different highways and even veterinarians powers to take action against those who blatantly flout them.
Chicken carried upside down on racks of speeding buses, matatus and motorcycles are common on many roads in the country. Goats have been captured being transported on bus carriers and even in extreme cases, cows being ferried on motorcycles.
In Nairobi, pets are mostly transported with people moving around with them in total disregard of the existing by-laws.
To protect animals from mental stress, injuries, hunger, and dehydration, the government has published all the protocols and penalties for violating them while moving animals from one location to another.
Rules and Regulations
Before embarking on a journey, motorists are advised to seek a permit and invite a veterinary officer to inspect the vessel that will be used to transport the live animals to ensure it meets the requisite safety standards. The animal must be in perfect health and shouldn’t be moving from or into a quarantine zone; for this can spread diseases.
Accordingly, loading an animal into a car in a manner likely to cause any form of injury is considered a criminal offense.
"A person who loads an animal into or unloads an animal out of a vessel, aircraft, or vehicle, or who causes or permits an animal to be so loaded or unloaded, in a way likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to the animal, shall be guilty of an offence," the law stipulates.
The law further dictates that when transporting the animal, the vessel used should be adequately constructed with enough ventilators and space for the animal to rest. It states that moving them in places that are not well-ventilated is considered a criminal offense.
While transporting animals, motorists must ensure that all of them are adequately fed
They are also expected to assign an attendant to look after them throughout the journey.
"The animal is adequately fed and watered at suitable intervals during transport, including during a period in which the animal is waiting to be loaded or unloaded."
"An attendant who is responsible for feeding and watering of the animal as provided under subparagraph (a) and for the general care of the animal is available during transport," the law states.
The government in the published laws also outlaws the transporting of animals that are unfit or have underlying health issues.
"A person who loads or transports an animal that is unfit or likely to give birth during transport, or who causes or permits the loading or transportation of such animal shall be guilty of an offense unless a veterinary surgeon or an authorized officer has given prior written authority for the loading or transport of that animal."
The motorists are also expected to ensure that the animals are not overcrowded while being moved from one point to another.
"Where an animal is transported in a receptacle, the consignor, carrier or owner shall ensure that the receptacle is not overcrowded and that the animal is accommodated in such a way as to avoid any risk of injury or unnecessary suffering," the government explains.
Upon arrival at the destination, you are further advised to invite a veterinary officer to ascertain if the transported animals are safe.
The same rules apply to those transporting animals using airplanes as enshrined in International Airport Transport Association Live Animals Regulations published in January 1983.
Penalties
According to Kenya Law, the penalty for transporting animals without following due procedure may land one in prison. The prison term for violating the laws is six months.
"A person who is guilty of an offence under these Regulations shall be liable to a fine not exceeding three thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months," Kenya Law stipulates.
