By Eddah Waithaka
On Tuesday 16 April, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Livestock development jointly announced a nationwide crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses and related businesses.
After a high-level security meeting, the directive to crack down on illegal slaughters and related food safety and national security was issued focusing on enforcing livestock sector regulations to enhance food safety and national security.
“We are witnessing a worrying pattern of livestock theft, particularly in the Rift Valley, Eastern and Central regions, and the seizure of meat in transit to Nairobi and other regions. This theft is linked to the emergence of bandits and cattle rustlers who sell meat to unscrupulous traders and transnational criminal gangs who smuggle and trade animal products such as hides across borders in conjunction with other illegal wildlife trade,” said Omollo.
“The Government has declared a Nationwide enforcement of rules and regulations in the livestock sector. The exercise, which is being coordinated by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, will involve the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry of Health and County Governments.”
This also comes against the backdrop of a surge in cases of contaminated food being sold. This in turn has led to food poisoning, causing illness and even death.
The County Commissioners were also instructed to take immediate action to crack down on illegal slaughtering and other facilities that sell related products.
“Our aim is to strengthen the food system by coordinating regulatory and leadership efforts at regional and county levels, and monitoring progress through regular reporting,” Interior PS noted.
Speaking at a press briefing, PS Mueke called on the multi-agency to play its role effectively in developing a robust whole-of-government coordination approach for effective enforcement and acknowledged the important leadership role played by the Regional Commissioners and County Commissioners.
“We have seen a gap in enforcement of livestock sector rules and regulations and have come up with this initiative that will target animal product facilities as well as our transport highways,” he added.
Among the security organs present at the meeting were the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), regional and district commanders and the Regional Director ofp Brooke East Africa.
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