Government unveils plan to combat livestock theft, contaminated food

The Ministry of Interior has announced plans to enforce stringent measures in the livestock sector to curb growing theft, unregulated trade in animal products, and the sale of contaminated products.

Speaking after holding a high-level multiagency security workshop on the enforcement of existing rules and regulations in the livestock sector, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the increased sale of contaminated food products has affected eateries and resulted in fatalities in the country.

"Suspicion of consumption of donkey meat has raised concerns about the origin of these animals despite the government having banned donkey slaughter in 2020 and rendering designated abattoirs non-operational," PS Omollo said.

The meeting was attended by the Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, the Director of Public Health, Maureen Kamene, regional commissioners, county commissioners, police commanders, and stakeholders in the livestock industry.

PS Omollo announced that multi-agency teams have been formed and tasked with identifying hotspots for the illegal slaughter of all livestock and arresting culprits while dismantling all the criminal syndicates involved.

The team will also be tasked with enforcing a nationwide 100-day Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) that will involve the enforcement of rules and regulations in the livestock sector.

It will comprise officials from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration- the lead agency, Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry of Health and County

Governments.

In response to recent incidents of contaminated food causing illnesses and fatalities, with colleague PS - Livestock, @jmueke, we held a high-level security meeting, focusing on enforcing livestock sector regulations to safeguard both national security and food safety.

The… pic.twitter.com/848nExuqfm

— Dr. Raymond Omollo — CBS (@ray_omollo) April 16, 2024

The team will also be tasked with identifying hotspots for the illegal slaughter of all livestock and arresting culprits while dismantling all the criminal syndicates involved.

"We are also witnessing a worrying pattern of livestock thefts, particularly in the Rift Valley, Eastern, and Central regions, and meat seized while being transported to Nairobi and other regions. This theft is linked with the emergence of bandits and cattle rustlers selling meat to unscrupulous traders and transnational criminal gangs who are smuggling and trafficking animal products such as skins across borders," the PS added.

The team will be coordinated by county commissioners and will involve officers from the National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, County Public Health Service, Veterinary Service, and co-opt other relevant regulatory agencies with specific terms of reference to enforce the same.

Interior Permanent Secretary Raymond Omollo addresses stakeholders during a security workshop on the enforcement of existing rules and regulations in the livestock sector. (X/Raymond Omollo)

Animal products pose serious food safety hazards if they are not properly handled.

"It is imperative that we adhere to food safety standards and health practices from production to consumption," said Jonathan Mueke, the Principal Secretary for Livestock Development.

He added that there has been a gap in the enforcement of livestock sector rules and regulations; hence, the initiative will also target animal product facilities and monitor the highways.