Health officials in Embu County have issued a strong warning to residents following a disturbing increase in the sale and consumption of donkey and dog meat.
Authorities fear that this illegal trade is exposing locals to serious health risks, as most of the meat being sold is uninspected and therefore unsafe for human consumption.
Speaking during a public forum on Wednesday, September 10, Embu County Executive (CEC) Member for Health, Jamal Runyenje, said the unregulated sale of such meat has been directly linked to a rise in diseases in the county.
He vowed to crack down on the culprits, promising swift action from both health officers and county security agencies.
“As the Health Minister here in Embu, I will not allow anyone to spread diseases under my watch,” Runyenje declared.
“If you break the law by selling uninspected or dangerous meat, you will go to jail. That way, the rest of the community can live healthy and at peace. It’s simple—you either follow the law, or the law follows you.”
Runyenje further explained that the county government will work hand in hand with veterinary practitioners to ensure daily inspections of all meat sold in the markets.
The move is intended to protect unsuspecting residents from eating harmful products disguised as beef, goat, or mutton.
However, some businesspeople in Embu expressed frustration, saying that the county government often makes decisions without engaging them first.
For instance, they complained about a directive that banned animal slaughtering on Sundays, arguing that such regulations should only be introduced after proper consultations with traders.
Earlier in February this year, security officers intercepted a vehicle along the Kiritiri–Embu Highway that was transporting donkey meat for sale.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the operation led to the seizure of over 1,500 kilograms of donkey meat, 15 donkey hides, and even reproductive organs, raising fears of a well-organized illegal network.
Three suspects, including the driver, were arrested during the operation and tasked with helping detectives trace the wider chain of the illicit business.
Following that incident, health officers urged locals to be extra cautious and avoid buying meat that has not been officially inspected.
Embu West Sub-County Public Health Officer, John Njagi, emphasized that the county is scaling up monitoring efforts to remove uninspected meat from local markets.
“We are intensifying our surveillance to make sure that unsafe meat is eliminated before it reaches people’s plates. Protecting the public from potential health hazards is our top priority,” Njagi stressed.
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