How safe is the meat you eat?
Slaughterhouses pose a serious health hazard for Kenyans in surrounding areas, a report by the Auditor General has warned.
The report on enforcement of environmental regulations in slaughterhouses by the National Environment Management Authority as at November 2021 showed almost all abattoirs lacked Effluent Discharge Licences (EDLs).
“Analysis of data from sampled slaughterhouses revealed only eight per cent of abattoirs were in possession of EDLs from Nema," Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said in her report.
The audit sampled 46 slaughterhouses in seven counties: Nairobi, Nyeri, Embu, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kisumu and Kisii.
Slaughterhouse waste is detrimental to humans and the environment when precautions are not taken. Effluent is known to contaminate both surface and groundwater.
It contains faeces, blood, urine and other fluids and tissue.
According to Section 74(1) of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), 1999, those discharging effluent into the sewer line should apply for an EDL from the county government.
EDL conditions include construction of a wastewater treatment plant, quarterly analysis of effluent waste and annual renewal of the certificate.
The report further cited variation in the number of slaughterhouses in Nema's inventory compared to that of the Department of Veterinary Services.
“Nema did not have an explanation on the discrepancy in numbers. This indicated the authority could not enforce the EDL application on slaughterhouses that were in their inventory,” the report said.
The audit also revealed inefficient treatment of effluent waste. It said all wastewater is to be directed into a wastewater treatment plant before being discharged into the environment.
“However, field verification and analysis of data collected revealed only 30 per cent of slaughterhouses [sampled] had constructed treatment plants. The constructed plants were not working efficiently since there was an odour,” it said.
Laboratory tests revealed wastewater treatment plants were discharging effluent that did not meet recommended standards.
“Inefficiencies in treatment plants are attributed to lack of inspection and maintenance of the plants as well as operational issues like non-segregation of slaughterhouse waste," the report read.
Meat consumption in Kenya was reported to be 593,000 tonnes in 2010, rising to 721,000 tonnes in 2019. Consumption is estimated to rise to 1,523,000 tonnes by 2050.
The continuous drive to increase meat production in slaughterhouses has contributed to pollution problems.
Pollution results from failure to adhere to good manufacturing and hygiene practices.
The auditor's report also said most operators did not have an Environmental Impact Assessment Licence and failed to conduct an initial and an annual environmental audit.
“This is a result of lack of follow-up and leniency by Nema. Consequently, slaughterhouses continue to operate without an Environment Impact Assessment licence. Thus, environmental impacts are not identified early enough for mitigation measures to be taken,” it said.
Gathungu said interviews with Nema officers revealed the authority has not been carrying out regular monitoring of slaughterhouses.
“For instance, Nairobi and Nyeri reported that slaughterhouses were monitored once a year, while in Kisumu, it was done twice every year,” she said.
“Inadequate monitoring of slaughterhouses is attributed to Nema's failure to prioritise slaughterhouses as it is more focused on other areas like petrol stations and residential construction.”
(Edited by V. Graham)
