PH
Police in Vihiga County have arrested seven milk traders operating without licences from Kenya Dairy Board (KDB).
KDB Senior dairy inspector David Akungu said the suspects were handling and conveying milk without the permit, risking the health of consumers.
“Milk traders should have licences and comply with KDB regulations and health standards to ascertain safety of consumers,” said Akungu.
He added, “The move has been necessitated by concern of the regulatory body due to increased milk transport in unhygienic conditions.”
He said the board had embarked on a joint operation with the police in Vihiga, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Nandi counties to arrest milk vendors who are not adhering to the set regulations.
Akungu said most milk vendors are using plastic containers which are unhygienic to store milk against set regulations by the board.
He observed that a total of 22 suspects have been arrested in the ongoing swoop in the five counties and will be arraigned in court to be charged with using plastic containers to store milk against the public health act and food hygiene.
He further indicated the traders have been selling and transporting milk without permit or a medical certificate.
Akungu said six suspects were arrested in Eldoret, seven in Vihiga, six in Kapsabet and three in Kisumu.
He appealed to milk vendors to obtain licences from the board to ensure they meet the laid down regulations before starting the business.
He said the KDB as a regulatory board is geared towards ensuring that consumers are offered with sanitised and quality milk.
