The government has announced that rules and regulations about the livestock industry will be enforced nationwide.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Ministry of Health, and the County Governments will all be involved in the exercise, which the Ministry of Interior and National Administration is arranging.
Speaking at a high-level multi-agency security workshop at the Kenya School of Government before the exercise, which starts immediately, Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo stated that there has been a rise in livestock theft, an unchecked trade in animal products and food product contamination that has impacted restaurants and killed people nationwide.
"We are also witnessing a worrying pattern of livestock thefts particularly in 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 linked with other illicit wildlife trade," he said.
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A 100-day Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) has been initiated to respond to these threats and enforce current laws and regulations in the livestock industry.
The Police, DCI, NIS, NGAOs, County Public Health Services, and Veterinary Services are to form multi-agency teams, and other pertinent regulatory agencies with specific mandates should be co-opted to enforce the same. This directive applies to all County Commissioners.
Multi-agency teams are also entrusted with locating locations where all livestock is illegally slaughtered, apprehending those responsible, and breaking up any associated criminal syndicates.
"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 rendered designated abattoirs non-operational," PS Omollo said.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development states that improper handling of animal products can result in hazards to food safety. Therefore, it is important to follow food safety regulations and health precautions from the point of production to the end of consumption.
"We have observed a gap in enforcement of the livestock sector rules and regulations and have come up with this initiative that will target animal product facilities as well as our transport highways," stated Jonathan Mueke, principal secretary for livestock development.
PS Mueke praised the crucial leadership shown by County and Regional Commissioners and urged the multi-agency to fulfill their roles in creating a solid strategy for whole-of-government coordination for efficient enforcement.
Along with stakeholders in the livestock industry, Mohamed Amin, the director of criminal investigations, Dr. Maureen Kamene, the director of public health, and regional and county commissioners were also present at the meeting.
