Nairobi County Bans Probox Vehicles from Delivering Meat, Issues Directives on Food Transportation

Nairobi County Bans Probox Vehicles from Delivering Meat, Issues Directives on Food Transportation

Nairobi County has announced new measures to regulate the transportation of meat, including a ban on the use of Probox vehicles for deliveries. The directive, issued on Thursday, is part of broader efforts to improve food safety standards and prevent the spread of diseases such as anthrax ahead of the festive season.

County Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba made the announcement during a citywide market cleaning exercise at Burma Market. He emphasized that only vehicles approved by the county would be permitted to transport meat from abattoirs to city markets.

“To maintain health standards in meat facilities, we have banned Probox cars from carrying meat. Any approved vehicle should have an identification number that can be traced back to the market. This will help prevent cases like the one we had last week involving anthrax,” Nyakaba said.

He clarified that while Probox vehicles may continue to carry passengers, they will no longer be allowed to transport meat under any circumstances.

Hygiene and Safety Measures

In addition to the ban, the county announced that car wash operations outside slaughterhouses, including those at Burma Market, would no longer be permitted. The move is intended to reduce contamination risks and enforce stricter hygiene standards around meat handling facilities.

During the exercise, Nairobi County Public Health officers conducted fumigation and sanitation at Burma Market. Nyakaba led a team that inspected stalls, checked hygiene practices, and met with the market committee and traders to reinforce compliance with public health regulations.

“Today we were at Burma Market to inspect meat facilities and ensure they meet the highest public health standards. As demand for meat rises during the festive season, it is our responsibility to maintain these standards,” Nyakaba added.

The county confirmed that all meat vendors must hold valid licenses and comply fully with safety requirements. Nyakaba reminded traders that the Meat Control Act outlines clear standards for handling, transporting, and storing meat, urging strict adherence to the law.

Market Oversight

Governor Johnson Sakaja has directed the deployment of two public health officers at Burma Market to conduct round‑the‑clock inspections. The officers will monitor compliance with hygiene regulations and ensure that traders follow the new directives.

The county’s intensified oversight comes after recent reports of anthrax infections linked to mishandled meat. Officials say the measures are designed to protect consumers and restore confidence in Nairobi’s meat markets.

Public health experts have welcomed the move, noting that meat transportation has long been a weak link in food safety. Vehicles not designed for carrying meat often expose products to contamination, raising risks of bacterial infections and disease outbreaks.

Traders’ Response

Traders at Burma Market expressed mixed reactions to the directive. While some welcomed the measures as necessary for consumer safety, others raised concerns about the cost of acquiring approved vehicles. County officials assured traders that they would work with market committees to facilitate compliance and provide guidance on licensing requirements.

Conclusion

The ban on Probox vehicles and the introduction of stricter hygiene measure

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Nairobi County Bans Probox Vehicles from Delivering Meat, Issues Directives on Food Transportation