Nairobi County bans Probox vehicles from meat transport amid health concerns
County Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba said the move is aimed at ensuring only approved vehicles, traceable to the market, are used for meat transportation.
Nairobi City County has banned Probox vehicles from transporting meat following recent health incidents, including a reported anthrax case, and stepped up hygiene inspections at the city’s meat markets.
Speaking on Thursday, County Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba said the move is aimed at ensuring only approved vehicles, traceable to the market, are used for meat transportation.
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“To maintain proper health standards in meat facilities, we have banned Probox cars from carrying meat. Approved vehicles must have identifiable markings traceable to the market. This will help prevent cases like the anthrax incident we experienced last week. Let’s comply — Probox cars can carry people, but not meat,” he cautioned.
He urged traders to comply with the Meat Control Act, which provides guidelines on handling, transporting, and storing meat.
“The Meat Act outlines the required standards for handling and transporting meat. We encourage all traders and transporters to follow these guidelines strictly,” Nyakaba said.
Nairobi County public health officers on Thursday conducted fumigation and hygiene inspections at Burma Market. Led by Nyakaba, the team inspected meat stalls, assessed hygiene practices, and met with the market committee and traders to reinforce compliance with public health regulations.
Nyakaba said the operation aimed to ensure that all meat outlets adhere to the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, especially as demand rises toward the festive season.
“Today we were at Burma Market to inspect the condition of the meat facilities and ensure they meet the required public health standards. As the demand for meat increases, it is our duty to maintain high hygiene levels across all food establishments,” Nyakaba said.
He added that the County had fumigated and cleaned the market to prevent bacterial contamination and ensure traders comply with licensing and safety requirements.
“We have fumigated and cleaned to eliminate bacteria and micro-organisms. We are also ensuring that all meat vendors possess valid licenses because this is a matter of public health,” he said.
Nyakaba also confirmed that Governor Johnson Sakaja has approved the deployment of two public health officers at Burma Market to monitor meat hygiene around the clock.
“The Governor has approved that two public health officers be stationed here to ensure continuous inspection of meat both during the day and at night,” he said.
The County Government has intensified routine inspections across major meat markets in Nairobi as part of a broader effort to strengthen food safety, maintain hygiene standards, and boost consumer confidence, especially with rising demand during the festive season.
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