Juja Sub-county AP commandant Doreen Gitonga said residents of Malaba area in Witeithie alerted Juja DCIO Obedie Kiio and OCS Zachery Ateya as they patrolled the area on Saturday.
"The officers raided [the premises they were informed of] and arrested four men who had already slaughtered 307 chickens worth over Sh107,450," she said. "We ascertained that the place was unhygienic. Lack of water made it more pathetic and the chickens had not been inspected as required by public health regulations."
Some of the chicken that police found at an authorised place of slaughter in Juja, Kiambu county, July 14, 2018. /JAMES WAKAHIU
While adding that the workers did not have documents of medical clearance, she noted that the conditions meant the chicken was unfit for human consumption.
“We appeal for members of the public to buy chicken or any other meat from the right places and ensure it is inspected," the officer said, adding that genuine business people should make use of Juja and Thika slaughterhouses.
Witeithie ward Public Health Officer, Clement Waweru, added that the chicken was transported in dirty bags,
“Meat is not supposed to be carried in bags but in meat safes. This chicken is condemned," he told reporters, accompanied by his Juja counterpart Peter Kiarie.
Waweru asked consumers to look out for genuine official stamps on packages; some residents said they did not know chicken is supposed to be inspected.
Gitonga said police will obtain a court order for the disposal of the chicken.
Monitoring will be stricter, she said.
The four were booked at Juja police station ahead of arraignment on Monday.