Kisumu County Public Health Officer Shikanda Arthur has given hawkers and food vendors a two-week ultimatum to obtain business licenses or face closure.
A spot check by health professionals at the city’s Central Business District revealed that most of the food outlets in the town are operating without licenses and by locals who do not meet sanitary regulations.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Shikanda asserted that it is illegal to operate food outlets including butcheries without proper licensing noting that anyone found contravening the new directive with be arrested.
“It is against the law to manufacture, package or sell any food products without possessing a license and in a premise that does not meet set sanitation standards,” he said.
Shikanda also pointed out that health officials will carry out full inspection in butcheries operating in Kisumu to ascertain their compliance with set hygienic standards and to ensure that the meat sold to the locals has been approved for consumption.