The National Environment Management Authority has raised concern over the poor state of slaughterhouses in Bomet county.
County director Wilfred Osumo said on Wednesday the more than 30 abattoirs were in a deplorable state while the relevant department turned a blind eye. They pose health risks to the users and residents.
Osumo who spoke to the Star in his office accused some county officials of negligence, saying they have failed to take the necessary measures to improve the condition of the abattoirs.
Nearly all the slaughterhouses were operating without effluent discharge licenses while others are yet to be renovated years after they were built, the official said.
Two weeks ago, the authority closed Mulot slaughterhouse in Bomet East after it emerged that it had been discharging raw waste to the main highway.
Vowing to close more slaughterhouses in the next few weeks, the director said it was sad the county had failed to set aside funds for improving them yet they generate revenue.
“We are going to close more of these slaughterhouses in the county until they agree to improve their state," he said. "These abattoirs supply meat to butcheries across the county and even outside but it is sad that they are not taking any action to ensure they are clean.”
He added: “These people are reluctant. We have advised and even given them a notice to the relevant department at the county to meet the required environmental conditions but they are deliberately ignoring and so the only way is to close them.”
County director for veterinary services Wilson Serem could not be reached for a comment over the matter.
The effluent discharge license, which many abattoirs do not have, stipulates the conditions under which treated waste should be discharged to the environment.