Nakuru kiosk owners have raised concern over the Public Health Department's decision to force them to buy slaughtered chicken from the county slaughter house.
The owners claimed there have been frequent arrests and intimidation from the county askaris who tell them to buy chicken from the county slaughter house.
“They had already issued a notice that anyone who is caught slaughtering chicken will be arrested. However, my biggest concern is why I should go all the way to the slaughter house just for two chickens to be slaughtered,” said Grace Wanjiru, a kiosk owner.
She said the county had proposed they resort to their buying of the meat from their facilities which customers had rejected.
“They claim it is stale and does not have the natural taste,” she cited.
Another food vendor, who sought anonymity, claimed that they were being harassed by the local officers demanding bribes.
Nakuru Chief Public Health Officer Samuel Kingori however, insisted they needed to ensure that the chicken were slaughtered in a hygienic condition.
Mr Kingori pointed out that the county was trying to control cholera and this was one of the methods they were applying.
“Slaughtering chicken in poor conditions can lead to the spread of diseases like tuberculosis and fowl typhoid which affect both human beings and the animals," he said.
"It also played a major role in the spread of cholera in the area, which left 17 people dead. The food vendors also do not have adequate methods of controlling the waste from the chicken including the intestines and the feathers."
Last week, Governor Kinuthia Mbugua opened a new slaughterhouse for the county.
The abattoir renovated at a cost of Sh5.6 million has the capacity to handle 10-20 cows, 20 goats or sheep and between 200-300 poultry per day.
It also employs over 20 people and generates over Sh50,000 for the County Government in revenue per day.