KENYA – Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi announces an ongoing multi-agency operation targeting individuals involved in the illegal transport and sale of unsafe meat.

This initiative, spearheaded by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, aims to apprehend offenders and ensure public health safety.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha is also actively participating in this effort.

Linturi, who recently avoided impeachment over a fake fertilizer scandal, informed the Senate on May 22, 2024, about the formation of this multi-agency team.

“We have established a multi-agency team in all 47 counties. The lead CS in this matter is Interior Cabinet Secretary, Agriculture, and Health,” Linturi states.

He reassures senators that the team is actively identifying hotspots where unfit meat is being slaughtered and sold, with a particular focus on the illegal donkey meat trade.

Linturi further assures that key suspects involved in this outlawed trade are already being apprehended by the multi-agency team.

Earlier this year, a study reveals significant health risks for about one million residents in and around Nairobi due to unsafe and unprocessed pork from Kiambu County.

Conducted by scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the University of Nairobi, and the University of Liverpool, the research highlights the presence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered pigs.

Published in the journal MDPI, the study finds that approximately 34 out of every 100 pigs sampled carry this harmful parasite.

The study underscores the public health risks posed by Toxoplasma gondii, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems and pregnant women.

Researchers identify small farm size and increased live weight as significant risk factors for infection.

They warn that consuming raw or undercooked pork from these pigs could lead to infections among Nairobi residents.

Additionally, a few days ago, Kirinyaga residents apprehended four suspects who had stolen and slaughtered 30 donkeys.

Occurring near River Sagana, the incident nearly cost the lives of the four, who were apprehended by an irate mob.

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