Kenya (Meru County) meat hygiene strengthening strategy  

This Project is being implemented by Alinea International in collaboration with Farmers Helping Farmers in Kenya, and in collaboration with Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse (VSF Suisse) in Ethiopia.

The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of Meru County in slaughterhouse practices, meat inspection and food safety in the context of One Health and zoonotic disease prevention and control by improving the knowledge of 46 veterinary doctors and meat inspectors primarily from the public sector on good hygiene practices (GHP-prerequisites), biosecurity, risk management in meat hygiene and the inspection system in slaughterhouses.

In Kenya Inspection is based on the meat regulations there are two types of slaughterhouses: Export slaughterhouses and Local slaughterhouses (Category A, B, C)

Two cohorts with a combined total of 46 participants composed of inspectors, veterinarians and governance stakeholders (National Veterinary Services and Academia) received a seven-day training on Good Hygienic Practices (GHP), comprising five days of classroom-based learning and two days of hands-on slaughterhouse-based learning.

 

At the end of the assignment:

  • The participants have acquired knowledge and know-how on the safety of food of animal origin to eliminate hazards arising during meat production.

  • The participants can contribute to development a meat safety program that will help industry and consumer organizations safeguard public health in Meru County.

The County Veterinary Services received recommendations on:

  • Immediate interventions for all Category slaughterhouses

  • Short-term interventions (Within 6 months)

  • Medium-term interventions (Within 1 year)

  • Long-term interventions (Within 2 years)

  • General recommendations from the training

The County Veterinary Services and 46 inspectors are responsible for the follow-up and transfer of knowledge to slaughterhouse operators, staff and other players in Meru’s meat sector.

My sincere thanks go to all Meru County authorities and structures, local and international partners and all the colleagues who made this mission a success.