Illegal Meat Slaughter at St. Mary’s Mumias Girls Sparks Public Health Concern

Illegal Meat Slaughter at St. Mary’s Mumias Girls Sparks Public Health Concern

A disturbing revelation has emerged from St. Mary’s Mumias Girls High School. The school has allegedly been slaughtering animals illegally since January 2025. Photos exposing the process surfaced, showing carcasses being processed in an open field without a proper slab or sanitation measures.

A concerned teacher, when questioned, admitted, “I don’t know whether that meat is inspected or if the meat inspector is certified.”

This shocking practice, reportedly done every Sunday, aims to cut costs and ease the school’s financial struggles. However, authorities warn it poses serious health risks to students and staff.

Public Health Officials Unaware

Geoffrey Mutebi, the acting public health officer for Mumias West Sub-County, was caught off guard by the revelation.

“We’ve not licensed or seen a request for approval of a slaughter slab at the school,” Mutebi stated. “If they’re operating such a facility, it’s illegal, and if the facility is illegal, so is the meat inspection exercise. The safety of learners concerns us. The Public Health Act sets standards, and the school is in breach.”

School’s Financial Woes Behind the Move

Investigations revealed that the school resorted to self-slaughtering animals after failing to pay a contracted meat supplier over KSh 1 million.

The school principal, Monicah Buchichi, declined to comment when contacted. Meanwhile, sources claim four men are contracted to handle the slaughtering and skinning every Sunday evening. Whether a certified meat inspector is involved remains unclear.

“I don’t know about meat inspection,” one worker admitted. “I only know every slaughtered animal must provide a recipe for two days a week.”

The meat is reportedly served on Mondays and Thursdays, raising concerns about hygiene and safety.

Public Health Act Violations

The law requires slaughter slabs to be inspected and licensed by both public health and veterinary departments. Any meat from unlicensed facilities is deemed unsafe, even if inspected.

Given the risk, authorities could take drastic action, including closure of the school.

Anthrax Outbreak Heightens Concerns

The situation worsens with reports of an anthrax outbreak in Malava Sub-County, a key cattle supply area. In January, several people received treatment after consuming contaminated meat. The outbreak forced authorities to shut down stock rings across Kakamega County to control animal movement.

This development raises fears that unsafe meat from the school could expose students to deadly diseases. Public health officials have vowed to investigate and take necessary action.

Kakamega School Faces Hygiene Crisis

Meanwhile, another school in Kakamega County is also facing closure over hygiene concerns. Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana recently highlighted that Vikutsa Primary School has only two functional pit latrines for over 400 pupils. The Ministry of Health has issued a two-week deadline for the issue to be resolved or the school will be shut down.

Authorities Must Act

Parents, students, and the public demand urgent intervention. The school must comply with health regulations to ensure student safety. As investigations continue, the pressure is mounting on the Ministry of Health to take swift action before a tragedy unfolds.

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Illegal Meat Slaughter at St. Mary’s Mumias Girls Sparks Public Health Concern