The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has condemned plans by the Nakuru County Government to close down the multi-million-shilling Naivasha slaughterhouse to pave the way for an affordable housing project and a stadium.

In a statement issued on Friday, KVA Chairperson Dr Kelvin Osore termed the intended closure as "a slap in the face of government efforts to turbo-charge industrialization."

Dr Osore noted that the Naivasha slaughterhouse, which was constructed with the support of the Danish government, is a crucial source of livelihood for approximately 2,000 workers and supports more than 10,000 families indirectly. 

"The KVA strongly opposes the decision to dismantle this vital facility without providing adequate alternatives and consideration for the livelihoods of those affected. The slaughterhouse is not only a unique investment in the region but also the primary source of safe meat for Naivasha town and surrounding institutions, including hotels and the local prison," reads the statement.

He added: "For a country grappling with a poor economy, food insecurity, protein malnutrition and food safety issues, closing a facility that was put up to address these concerns is short-sighted. Indeed, data shows that about 4.4 million Kenyans are facing acute food insecurity."

The association cited a lack of clarity in the relocation plans initiated by the Nakuru County Government led by Governor Susan Kihika, further questioning the rationale behind the decision to shut down the slaughterhouse.

Dr Osore noted that the closure of the facility would have far-reaching negative impacts on workers and residents alike. 

"These plans also risk exposing the public to uninspected meat leading to food-borne infections and consumption of ungazetted animals such as donkeys," he said. 

Local leaders have also questioned the move and the rationale behind closing the Naivasha slaughterhouse and relocating the traders to another facility.

Speaking at the facility last week, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja termed the move as illegal and inhumane. Karanja said she would petition the Senate to intervene, as the facility is one of a kind in the area and the only source of meat for Naivasha town and tens of institutions in the surrounding areas.

The Nakuru Senator further assured the community that the slaughterhouse would not be demolished.

"This land occupies 55 acres. This section you're in is 15 acres. The remaining 40 acres can accommodate the stadium. The Nakuru stadium occupies 23 acres, so there is more than enough space. Even if it's the county government, they should respect all investments."

"This investment supports more than 10,000 families, and it's the source of meat for hotels and even the prison here. This behaviour of displacing people for affordable housing is something we will resist because we cannot allow it," she said.