By: Okong’o Oduya
More than 400 liters of milk worth 100, 000 ksh believed to be contaminated was yesterday destroyed by Kenya Milk Dairy Board officers in Busia town. According to Board Manager western region, Mr. Simon Ole Sakwa, the milk which was on transit to Kenya from Uganda was packaged in plastic containers that are used to store harmful chemicals which pose health hazards to consumers.
Talking to press in Busia town after apprehending the milk, Mr. Sakwa noted that consumption of such milk could lead to health complications to consumers and that was why they had to destroy it before reaching the market.
“The milk was in plastic tanks used to package harmful chemicals such as Sulfuric acid and chlorine which are known to be harmful to human health. As a body when we get such cases we act with immediacy. That is not the way milk is transported. According to Kenya Bureau of Standards milk should be transported in milk cans and not just any plastic containers .” he confirmed.
He added that six people who were in possession the milk were arrested and will be taken to court to face charges.
Talking to the affected business people led by their spokesperson Mr. Abdul Majid, they said they incurred a big loss adding that the board has been frustrating their business of late despite the fact that they have valid licenses to run businesses in the county.
According to him they have been running the business in the entire western region for more than five years and they don’t see the reason why the board is cracking a whip on them now.
“I can tell you for sure some of us have been in this business for more than six years. Where was this board before to warn us how to package and run our business, why now? We don’t see valid reason as to why we are being harassed by the board” Abdul complained.
They also noted that it is due to insufficient milk supply in Kenya is behind importation of milk from neighboring Uganda to meet the rising demand .
The traders officers for being corrupt claiming that they only disrupt businesses of those who do not cooperate with them.
They urged Kenya dairy board officials to meet with their counterparts in Uganda and discuss how the milk across the border should be packaged to avoid paralyzing their businesses.
“We advise Kenya Milk Board officials to meet with Ugandan Dairy Board officials to find a long lasting solution oh how milk business from Uganda should be conducted. This will give us a way forward in doing our businesses freely and also save us from losing our money in future just like what we have witnessed here.” Majid said.
Chlorine is a chemical that prevents bacteria from growing. Chlorine poisoning occurs when someone swallows or breathes in (inhales) chlorine.When Chlorine reacts with water in and out of the body to form hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid. Both become extremely poisonous.
Similarly, Sulfuric acid is a very strong chemical that is corrosive. It can cause severe burns and tissue damage when it comes into contact with the skin or mucous membranes.
