Public Health Emergency: Uasin Gishu Cracks Down on Dirty Street Food in Eldoret!
“No foodstuff shall be prepared, displayed, or sold in areas that do not meet approved sanitary standards,” the notice reads.
In a decisive effort to safeguard public health, the County Government of Uasin Gishu has issued a stern directive to all food vendors in Eldoret City, ordering the immediate cessation of food sales conducted under unsanitary conditions.
The public notice, released by the Department of Public Health, cites growing concern over the widespread practice of selling food along pavements, streets, and building corridors—areas that the County deems to pose “significant health risks to the public.”
Invoking Section 7 of the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act, Cap. 254, Laws of Kenya, the County Government has asserted its legal mandate to take enforcement action. “No foodstuff shall be prepared, displayed, or sold in areas that do not meet approved sanitary standards,” the notice reads.
Signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Public Health, the directive warns that vendors who fail to comply will face legal consequences. The County has urged the public to report any breaches, noting that reports can be made at Uasin Gishu County Hospital during working hours, Monday through Friday.
This initiative is part of a broader campaign to curb the spread of preventable diseases and foster a cleaner, healthier urban environment. “We are committed to ensuring that the food consumed by our residents meets the highest hygiene standards,” the County stated.
Local residents have largely supported the move. “It’s about time the government took action,” said one Eldoret resident. “We’ve been concerned for years about the risks of eating food from vendors operating without proper sanitation.”
Acknowledging the importance of informal vendors to the local economy, the County Government has pledged to collaborate with them to identify alternative, compliant trading spaces. “We are not shutting down livelihoods—we are improving conditions for safe business,” the County assured.
This crackdown marks a significant step in the County Government’s public health agenda and underscores its commitment to protecting the wellbeing of all residents and visitors in Eldoret City.
About Author
