The Department of Public Health and the Livestock Department in Narok County will continue collaborating to conduct rampant impromptu crackdowns on meat selling joints to avert sale of uninspected meat in the county.
Livestock Chief Officer Queen Kimorgo and her counterpart from the Preventive Health Services Lucy Kashu said butchers and slaughter house owners found flouting the laid regulations will be arrested and charged in court.
Kimorgo reminded the butchers that it was criminal to slaughter sick and weak animals, and called on members of the public to report those who consume meat that is not inspected.
“We all have a responsibility to ensure sickly animals are not slaughtered and consumed by the members of the public without proper inspection. Before consuming any meat ensure that it is inspected by the health officials,” she reiterated.
Kashu called on the members of the public to check on the official rubber stamp on the meat in their local butcheries, saying any meat that lacked the stamp was not authentic.
“Those butchers that slaughter dead or sick animals and sell the meat to unsuspecting customers will have their licenses withdrawn. We will intensify a crackdown on all meat selling points around the county to ensure our people are eating healthy meat,” she said.
Their sentiments come at a time when there is a spike in donkey loss, with members of the public suspecting that the donkeys were being slaughtered and meat sold in the local butcheries.
In a meeting held in the County Commissioner’s office a week ago, the Farming System Kenya, an organization that deals with animal protection, reported rampant donkey slaughter at Ewaso Kedong, at the border of Narok and Kajiado Counties.
The organization’s programme officer Samuel Chege, who displayed photos of the donkey carcass called on the authorities to tighten surveillance and arrest those involved in the illegal donkey business.
Last week, Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia temporarily shut down the Mulot slaughter house for failing to meet the public health standards.
