The National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA) on Friday, March 8, announced it had initiated the closure of Kiamaiko slaughterhouses.
According to the environmental authority, the action was per a court order issued on July 28, 2022, which directed the halt of the meat industry’s services.
Following the orders to shut down the meat supplier, the govt directed the withdrawal of all its services offered to Kiamaiko slaughterhouses.
The services included veterinary services of meat inspection, public health services and issuance of Single business permits offered by the Nairobi City County.
The govt also announced it had stopped water supply services offered by the Nairobi water and sewerage company.
“This will paralyze the entire slaughtering of goats at the slaughter slab due to the illegality of current operations,” NEMA noted.
NEMA’s move to enforce closure was due to longstanding concerns regarding the handling of blood and offal, as well as the improper treatment of wastewater discharge.
The government agency also noted that the slaughterhouses were operating in an unhygienic manner and further polluted the Nairobi river waters.
According to the environmental agency, the meat suppliers also failed to heed the agreement reached in 2013 which directed the relocation of operations to a licensed site by March 31, 2022.
“It is essential to clarify that the intention behind these enforcement measures is not to impede the legitimate trade of meat or the operation of butcheries,” the Authority stated.
“The focus is squarely on addressing the specific deficiencies observed within the slaughterhouse facilities themselves which degrade the environment.”
In April 2022, Kiamaiko obtained court orders which stopped the closure of the meat supplier until the case was heard and determined.
