A hotel operator in Bomet town has been arrested for allegedly selling flamingo meat to unsuspecting customers.
The arrest followed a sting operation by the county public health officials, after weeks of surveillance on eateries suspected of selling uninspected meat.
County health chief officer Health Felix Langat said they have been closely monitoring the alleged sale within the town.
“We have been closely following our leads, and today we successfully arrested the operator,” he said, adding that the suspect will assist in uncovering the wider network.
He added that a woman believed to be the main supplier was recently arrested while transporting flamingos suspected to have been sourced from Nakuru.
Authorities say she had been delivering the meat to hotels within Bomet town.
"We want to warn all those involved in such activities that their time is running out. Our operations will continue across all major towns in the county," he stated.
He urged residents to be cautious about where they eat and assured that health and security teams are on high alert, with tighter surveillance underway to curb the illegal trade.
Langat disclosed that over 3,000 patients have sought treatment in the past month for health complications linked to unsafe food consumption.
“Flamingos have not been approved as food, they feed on lead and other harmful substances. These are among the leading causes of health-related complications, including cancer,” Langat said.
