NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 5 – Veterinarians are warning that the growing number of unqualified animal health practitioners and the misuse of veterinary medicines are undermining food safety, public health and the country’s ambitions to expand livestock exports.

📻 Breaking It Down

Speaking on the sidelines of the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) Annual Golf Tournament, veterinary experts urged the government to strengthen enforcement of existing laws, saying illegal veterinary practice has created significant risks across the livestock value chain.

KVA Council Member Daniel Muasya said Kenya already has sufficient legislation governing veterinary practice and animal welfare, but weak implementation continues to expose consumers to unsafe animal products.

“We continually see people who we call quacks purchasing medicines and trying to treat animals when they are not qualified,” Muasya said.

📌 What You Need to Know

“We need cooperation from all agencies so that people consume safe products and public health is protected.”

He said illegal treatment of livestock; unlawful slaughter of animals and poor enforcement of animal welfare regulations increase the likelihood of contaminated meat and other animal products finding their way to consumers.

According to Muasya, only registered veterinary professionals should be allowed to diagnose diseases and administer medicines to animals, noting that stronger collaboration between regulators, county governments and law enforcement agencies is needed to eliminate illegal practice.

The concerns come at a time when Kenya is positioning itself as a leading exporter of livestock products to regional and international markets, where compliance with food safety and animal health standards is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for trade.

The warnings also come even as Kenya receives global recognition for strengthening the regulation of veterinary medicines.

Veterinary surgeon Josiah Mandieka recently won the World Veterinary Association Award for Veterinary Medicines Stewardship, recognizing Kenya’s efforts to promote responsible use of veterinary medicines and combat antimicrobial resistance.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya