The County Government of Uasin Gishu has launched a comprehensive crackdown on eateries flouting health and safety regulations.
In the first day of the crackdown on Monday, May 12, 2025, at least 40 individuals were arrested and several premises within in Eldoret City were also closed.
The sweeping inspection exercise, led by Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Dr. Paul Wangwe and Deputy Director of Public Health Laban Kiprop, targeted numerous food outlets to enforce hygiene standards and safeguard public health.
Dr Wangwe reaffirmed Governor Dr Jonathan Bii’s commitment to ensuring that every resident access clean,safe and healthy food.
“We are conducting regular inspections of food establishments across the county to ensure they meet required hygiene and safety standards. This is about protecting our residents—because the food they eat and the water they drink must be safe,” said the chief officer.
The inspections uncovered a range of violations, including the absence or expiration of food handler certificates, poor sanitation, lack of fire safety equipment, and overcrowded or poorly ventilated kitchen spaces.
In one alarming incident, health officers discovered workers locked inside a hotel kitchen—an act flagged as a serious safety and human rights violation.
The proprietor of the hotel was immediately arrested with assistance from police and county enforcement officers.
Eldoret hotels issued with closure notices
As part of the enforcement, three hotels were issued with closure notices due to what officials described as “extremely poor hygiene conditions.”
While some establishments were found to be compliant, many did not meet the required standards.
“All food handlers are required to undergo medical screening every six months and must obtain certification from authorized facilities,” said Dr. Wangwe, adding that the county will now enforce this requirement more stringently.
Deputy Director Kiprop issued a stern warning to unlicensed street food vendors, emphasizing that they pose a significant risk to public health and will face legal consequences.
“We urge the public to buy food only from licensed and approved eateries,” Kiprop said. “This is just the beginning—inspections will now be a routine operation across the county.”
