The Nairobi County Government has banned the use of Probox and other unlicensed vehicles for meat delivery, launching a comprehensive crackdown on unhygienic meat transport and handling practices as the festive season approaches.
The directive, announced by County Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba, seeks to curb disease transmission particularly anthrax and uphold strict hygiene standards in the city’s markets.
“To maintain health standards in meat facilities, we have banned Probox cars from carrying meat,” Nyakaba said during a sanitation drive at Burma Market, Nairobi’s largest meat hub. “Any approved vehicle must have a traceable identification number linked to the market. This will help prevent cases like the one we had last week involving anthrax.”
While Probox vehicles remain authorized for passenger transport, their role in meat delivery is now strictly prohibited. The county insists that only approved, traceable, and hygienic vehicles will be allowed to ferry meat from licensed abattoirs to city markets.
In addition, the county has banned car wash operations near slaughterhouses, including the one adjacent to Burma Market, to prevent cross-contamination and maintain sanitary conditions. Public health teams have since conducted fumigation, sanitation, and licensing checks across key meat markets, ensuring compliance with the Meat Control Act and other public health regulations.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has reinforced the crackdown by deploying two public health officers at Burma Market to conduct round-the-clock inspections, signaling a zero-tolerance stance toward unhygienic practices.
The multi-agency initiative indicates Nairobi County’s commitment to safe, traceable, and hygienically handled meat for all residents, particularly during the festive period when demand peaks.
