Dr. Kimwele Mbaya, the Kitui County Minister of Livestock and Agriculture, has issued a notice banning the consumption and movement of pig meat and related products within the county following an outbreak of suspected African Swine Fever (ASF).The quarantine measures, implemented under the Animal Diseases Act (Cap 364), aim to curb the spread of the highly contagious and deadly disease affecting pigs.
In the notice, strict restrictions have been placed on the movement and management of pigs and their products within Kitui Central districts and beyond. These include:Movement Restrictions: No pigs or pig products may be moved into or out of the quarantine zones without written permission from the Director of Veterinary Services or designated veterinary officials.
Animal Management: All pigs must be kept away from public roads and other animals in the affected areas must be disinfected before being moved.Carcass Disposal: Dead animals suspected to have succumbed to ASF must be buried at least four feet underground or burned at the owner’s expense.
Dr. Mbaya emphasized that veterinary officers and inspectors are empowered to enforce the quarantine measures, including isolating infected animals and issuing further directives as necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. Any individual found violating these restrictions will be prosecuted for breaching the Animal Diseases Act.
The notice has been distributed to relevant authorities, including veterinary officers in neighboring counties such as Machakos, Makueni, Embu, and Nairobi, to ensure coordinated efforts in disease containment.
ASF does not pose a risk to human health but has devastating impacts on pig populations and the livelihoods of farmers. Residents and pig farmers in Kitui County are urged to cooperate fully with veterinary officials to eliminate the disease and protect the region’s livestock sector.
Dr. Mbaya assured the public that the county government is working diligently to address the outbreak and will provide updates as the situation evolves.
