3,000 Kgs of Bushmeat Nabbed at Nairobi’s Burma Market

Officers from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Thursday nabbed 3,000 kilograms of game meat following a raid at Nairobi’s Burma Market.

KWS said the crackdown led to the arrest of three suspects who were allegedly found selling bushmeat in their stalls. The three were later arraigned in Kibera Law Courts.

The agency said other suspects abandoned their shops and escaped to avoid arrest. Nine deep freezers, knives, weighing scales, electric mincemeat machine, meat hooks, and hacksaws were confiscated during the raid.

KWS said it had established that unscrupulous business proprietors have been selling game meat at cheap prices of between Sh230 and Sh250 per kg. A kilo of beef retails at Sh400.

KWS said the seized bushmeat is suspected to be that of zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes. A similar operation at the popular market located in Eastlands area led to the seizure of 800kgs of bushmeat in June.

KWS said the meat is suspected to have been gotten from two zebras that were poached at Olturoto in Kajiado County and Portland Farm in Athi River, Machakos County.

The law recommends a jail term of not less than three years without an option of a fine for those found guilty of selling or buying game meat. Consumption of bushmeat exposes humans to diseases such as Ebola and Anthrax.