Kenya update
26 April 2017
Following the HSA’s visit to Kenya in November 2015, The Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) has been sent a range of additional educational materials on humane handling and stunning of livestock for dissemination to slaughter persons, vets and meat inspectors.
The HSA has also created a syllabus covering farm animal welfare during transport, marketing and slaughter, as an online resource for educators wishing to develop tertiary education modules on this subject.
The syllabus has been circulated to those met in Kenya, including the veterinary universities and Manor House Agricultural Centre, Trans-Nzoia county government and slaughterhouse veterinary officials, and NGOs operating in Kenya and in other African countries. Key, relevant educational materials produced by the HSA and other organisations can be easily accessed via the web links in the syllabus. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), whose membership comprises eight African nations, has already informed the HSA that the syllabus “will be very useful to our task force that is developing Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa” and it will be circulated amongst colleagues at the African Union and the FAO. Wilfred Otieno from Kenya said: “The visit to our institution helped me a lot in understanding the scope of work done by HSA and I was particularly impressed with the stunning methods that can be used in the event of slaughtering animals to prevent pain and preserve meat quality. This is the message I still faithfully pass to those who have an ear to protect animal welfare.”
Where the opportunities arise to do so, the HSA will continue to work with recognised organisations in Kenya to improve farm animal welfare during transport, marketing and slaughter.