A sweeping crackdown on unhygienic eateries extended to Ainabkoi and Kesses Sub-counties on Thursday, May 22, 2025, resulting in the arrest of 22 individuals and the closure of several hotels due to poor hygiene standards and the lack of medical certificates among staff.
The operation, led by Uasin Gishu County Deputy Director of Public Health, Laban Kiprop, targeted establishments that failed to meet basic food safety regulations. Most affected eateries have voluntarily shut down to avoid penalties and further legal action.
“We found shocking levels of negligence — from unclean cooking surfaces to improper waste disposal and poor food storage,” said Kiprop.
“This is a matter of public safety, not just business regulation and a distributor of uninspected meat was also netted,” he added.
Residents welcomed the move, citing a rise in foodborne illnesses in recent months.
“We’ve seen too many people fall sick after eating at some of these places. It’s time the authorities stepped in,” said a local trader.
The crackdown is expected to continue across the sub-counties, with health officials urging all food vendors to comply with health regulations, undergo medical screening, and maintain proper hygiene standards to avoid closure or prosecution.
Among the areas inspected was Ngeria Trading Centre, where all food outlets were shut down due to the lack of proper documentation regarding food hygiene standards.
