The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has condemned pan by the Nakuru County Government to close down the multi-million-shilling Naivasha slaughterhouse.
According to KVA, the facility is a crucial source of livelihood for at least 2,000 workers and supports more than 10,000 families indirectly.
"Furthermore, slaughterhouses are units of production and processing, both of which are key planks of industrialisation. This move is therefore a slap in the face of government efforts to turbo-charge industrialisation," KVA said in a statement to newsrooms.
The veterinary association alleges that the proposed closure is " intended to pave the way for other government projects." Projects which it claims have sparked significant anger and opposition among local leaders, traders, and the wider community.
"The KVA strongly opposes the decision to dismantle this vital facility without providing adequate alternatives and consideration for the livelihoods of those affected," KVA said.
"The slaughterhouse is not only a unique investment in the region but also the primary source of safe meat for Naivasha town and surrounding institutions, including hotels and the local prison.
"The existence of such facilities in urban areas is critical to safeguarding food safety and public health. All governments should strive to facilitate safe foods and public health of their citizens."
KVA further said Kenya is currently grappling with a poor economy, food insecurity, protein malnutrition and food safety issues hence closing the facility which was put up to counter such challenges is short-sighted.
"Indeed, data shows that about 4.4 million Kenyans are facing acute food insecurity. Moreover, a 2017 UNICEF report noted that a quarter of children aged below 5 years are stunted with devastating results including diminished physical and mental development inhibiting their education uptake," KVA statement reads in part.
"The facility is an essential part of the local economy, and its closure would have far-reaching negative impacts on workers and residents alike."
The association also warned that closing the Naivasha slaughterhouse risks exposing the public to uninspected meat leading to food-borne infections and consumption of ungazetted animals such as donkeys.
KVA also reassured the Naivasha slaughterhouse workers and the local community of their support while urging the county to reconsider the closure of the facility.
"We urge the Nakuru County Government to reconsider this ill-advised plan and acknowledge the importance of the slaughterhouse as a critical investment that supports the livelihoods of thousands of people," KVA said.
"The Kenya Veterinary Association is committed to advocating for the welfare of the livestock sector and safeguarding public health and will continue to support the Naivasha community in their fight to preserve this essential facility."
On the Livestock Bill 2024, whose debate is ongoing, KVA said there may be clauses that need a relook and that is why they welcome the debate as it serves to enrich Kenya’s legislative process.
"The public’s views on the bill must be included as the bill makes its way through Parliament. All stakeholders should analyse this Bill with a view to helping the public give informed views on the Bill. KVA will soon hold a public forum to go through the Bill and gather feedback to inform our position as an association," KVA said.
"We hope this will enrich the conversation. We. however, urge the public to be cautious of middlemen, brokers and other unscrupulous persons whose only aim is to roll back any intended gains that would lock them out of business."