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Crackdown on uninspected food sellers intensified in Nairobi as 10 are arrested


More than 10 people have been arrested by Nairobi City Inspectorate and Health officials for allegedly selling uninspected food.

Those arrested include seven food vendors from Kamukunji and five from Embakasi who are being detained at Kamukunji Police Station and Embakasi Police Station respectively.

CRACKDOWN

Nairobi Health Executive Mohammed Dagane said the exercise is in lieu of a major crackdown targeting food vendors and handlers in general with the main focus being the CBD.

Early this month, the county had given all food vendors, eateries and other outlets two weeks to re-apply for inspection.

Health Executive Mohamed Dagane said no one will operate or sell food without being inspected.

“We made this resolve and we want to effect it to the letter to avoid any health problems now and in the future. We are not only targeting food vendors but food handlers in general,” Dagane said.

He added that a major crackdown is currently underway within the CBD in areas like River Road and around Globe cinema.

SAFE FOOD

Dagane has also promised more stringent measures to ensure only safe food is sold in Nairobi.

“We are not only targeting street food vendors but also big hotels. They should make sure that hygiene is properly maintained. The Inspectorate, in conjunction with the health officials, have been conducting daily inspection of food outlets in the city,” he further said.

Last month, Governor Mike Sonko called on health officials to ensure the exercise is done on a daily basis and come up with ways of stopping unscrupulous food vendors from infiltrating the market.

The Nairobi County Government is also expected to expand its food inspection department to meet the demands of the growing population.

Six supermarkets had their food sections shut down in July this year, for contravening regulations on food handling.