Kikopey eateries reopened

The Ministry of Health has reopened butcheries at the popular nyama choma stopover at Kikopey trading centre along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

The butcheries were closed three weeks ago following a health scare caused by poor hygiene standards.

Traders whose premises were not affected by the closure also reported huge losses after consumers shunned the place. Local Public Health officer Samuel King’ori said yesterday owners of the butcheries have now met all the requirements stipulated under the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substance law.

Issues that had been raised by the ministry included lack of standard toilets, medical covers and documents that permit operators to handle food and clean hand washing water.

“Most butcheries in the area did not have toilets,” said King’ori.

He observed that Kikopey attracts more meat consumers from different parts of the country due to its location, an element that requires high sanitation to curb diseases.

Closure of nine butcheries out of 11 at the popular joint had affected business as clients kept away due to fear of being infected with diseases such as cholera and typhoid, among other diseases.

King’ori said officers from the department will conduct regular inspections on the butcheries to check sanitation. “Sanitation is very critical in handling of food and Kikopey is one of the areas that require strict hygiene standards,” he said.

The closure came hot on the heels of a cholera outbreak that claimed at least 18 lives in the region last year.