More than 10 people were arrested on Thursday Morning by the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) for transporting and selling milk without adhering to the required standards for handling milk.
Speaking during the crackdown in Kisii town, Kisii Branch Board’s Dairy Inspector Elias Ontita noted that they found some hawkers transporting milk in plastic and dirty containers thus endangering thousands of local residents’ lives.
The official added that it’s not recommended for milk to be stored or transported in plastic containers as the equipment has residues which pose health risks to milk consumers.
The inspector who was accompanied by local security officers explained that the milk sector has been infiltrated by unscrupulous business people who are using informal means to preserve or transport the product.
“We are conducting raids to ensure the milk being sold to residents is clean and of good quality since we have realised some people are lacing the milk they sell to unsuspecting clients with some chemicals to keep it fresh for long,” he added
In Kisii, he added that they have not found any milk laced with the chemical but noted most of the milk being sold in various outlets was found highly hydrated.
“Contaminated milk is so harmful to people and that’s why we have embarked on testing raw milk being sold in open markets,” he further noted.