Kenya Consumer Organization (KCO) is gravely concerned about the alarming conditions prevailing in many slaughterhouses across Kenya.
KCO is sounding the alarm on the potential health risks posed by these unsanitary facilities and is urgently calling upon the Kenyan government to take immediate action to rectify this situation.
In a recent investigation conducted by the protection firm, they have revealed shocking deficiencies in hygiene standards and food safety practices at numerous meat slaughterhouses across the country.
These shortcomings raise serious concerns about the safety of poultry products consumed by Kenyan citizens.
Key findings include:
Poor Sanitation: Many slaughterhouses were found to have inadequate sanitation practices, including the improper disposal of waste, leading to the risk of contamination and disease transmission.
Lack of Inspection: A significant number of slaughterhouses were operating without regular inspections, oversight, or adherence to food safety regulations.
Unsafe Handling: Improper handling of poultry, including inadequate refrigeration and storage, increases the risk of contamination and the spread of foodborne pathogens.
Inadequate Training: Insufficient training for workers on hygiene and food safety practices was observed, potentially contributing to unsafe conditions.
It was noted that some leading retail chains have been selling to innocent consumers meat sourced from unlicensed slaughterhouses. This exposes Kenyans to potential health challenges, including Salmonella, among other complications.
In a press statement, Churchill Omondi the CEO of KCO explained that the agency recognizes the critical importance of food safety in safeguarding the health and well-being of the Kenyan population.
“We are urgently calling on the Kenyan government to conduct thorough inspections of all meat slaughterhouses and ensure strict adherence to food safety standards and launch an awareness campaign to educate consumers about the importance of safe poultry products and how to identify products from certified sources,” he said.
He added, “The safety and well-being of consumers are paramount to us. We can not allow unsanitary conditions in poultry slaughterhouses to jeopardize public health. We call upon the Kenyan government to take swift and decisive action to address this issue and protect the rights and health of all consumers.”
On 14th June the Permanent Secretary for Trade officially launched the Kenya Consumer Advisory Committee (KECOPAC). The committee is mandated to protect the rights of Kenyan consumers.
Enya has several government agencies that work to protect consumers. The agencies include the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Communications Authority of (CA), Anti-counterfeit Authority (ACA), Kenya Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (KECOPAC), Department of Weights and Measures, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), and Medical Practitioners & Dentists Board.
