Mutua shuts Naivas meat sections over toxic chemicals

The Machakos County government has closed down butchery sections of all Naivas supermarket stores, warning that harmful chemicals were found on meat samples.

Governor Alfred Mutua, in a statement released to newsrooms on Thursday afternoon, said the decision was made to protect consumers.

"I have been given a laboratory report showing that a sample of meat sold at the Naivas supermarket at Gateway Mall in Mavoko had 3,286 milligrams of an additive that should not be used on meat," Dr Mutua said.

He went on: "I have subsequently directed that the meat/butchery sections of all Naivas stores in Machakos county be closed immediately. This is on suspicion that the supplier of meat at all Naivas supermarkets in Machakos County is the same entity."

Last week an exposé on how supermarkets have been using harmful chemicals to preserve meat was aired on NTV, causing a health scare since many Kenyans buy their meat from supermarkets.

Mr Mutua also intensified the crackdown on all supermarkets across Machakos County to ensure compliance with public health regulations.

He said the suspended sections will remain closed until a clean bill of health is granted by the county government's department of public health.