The Union of Veterinary Practitioners Kenya has demanded inclusion in the affairs of the transfer of Kenya Meat Commission form the Agriculture to the Defence ministry.
In a statement sent on Wednesday, Miheso Mulembani, the union’s secretary-general also demanded a declaration on the intended operational framework failure to which the union shall move to court to seek legal redress.
On Monday, CS Peter Munya directed the Livestock PS to ensure coordination on the transfer of ministerial responsibility of the KMC to the Ministry of Defence.
Munya explained that KMC was not adding value to farmers given that the government-owned meat processor has been cash-strapped for a long time.
The CS confirmed that the market for KMC has been a big challenge and that the defence ministry is the biggest customer.
He said the transfer is aimed at optimizing KMC operations.
But Mulembani questioned if militarisation of the institution is going to answer to the operational challenges witnessed in the facility.
“Has the government made public the people who looted KMC to death? Owing to lack of Public Audit on Military Expenditure, is the take-over meant to benefit some cartels?” he posed.
The union noted with concern the lack of participation consultation in regard to the decision to transfer the Kenya Meat Commission from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Defence.
“We take exception that the Defence Ministry has always shown little regard to the Veterinary Professionals going by the number of Veterinary Professionals admitted to the Kenya Defence Forces each year begging the question on the legality in the running of the facility,” Mulembani said.
He said the technical traceability frameworks for livestock diseases will be severely affected owing to reporting challenges to the World Animal Health Organisation.
The union pointed out that the Kenya Meat Commission Act 2012 Section 3 (1 a-g) clearly stipulates the membership of the KMC board where the Director of Veterinary Service has a clear technical mandate over slaughter processes.