Nairobi County officers fumigate Burma Market to enhance meat safety standards

Led by County Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba, the team inspected 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,” said Nyakaba.

He noted 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 added.

Nyakaba further emphasized that only approved vehicles should be used to transport meat, warning that the County has banned the use of Probox vehicles for meat distribution following recent health incidents.

“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 reminded traders that the Meat Control Act provides clear guidelines on how meat should be handled, transported, and stored, urging full compliance across all markets.

“The Meat Act outlines the required standards for handling and transporting meat. We encourage all traders and transporters to follow these guidelines strictly,” said Nyakaba.

Nyakaba also announced that Governor Johnson Sakaja has approved the deployment of two public health officers to monitor meat hygiene at Burma Market 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 of Nairobi has stepped up routine inspections across all major meat markets as part of its broader initiative to safeguard public health and promote consumer confidence in food safety standards.