New Regulations Authorise Chicken Inspectors to Raid Homes & Vehicles in Search of Poultry
The government plans to officially appoint chicken inspectors with the authority to conduct raids on residences, as well as stop, search, or detain any aircraft, ship, or vehicle containing poultry, its related products, supplies, or tools.
Kenyans who are found guilty of impersonating inspectors under the Livestock (Poultry Industry) Regulations 2023 may be subjected to fines as high as Ksh500,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
As per the Ministry of Agriculture’s proposal, an inspector is an individual designated by the Livestock Inputs and Products Regulatory Authority by the established regulations.
Roles of Chicken Inspectors
The inspectors are tasked with evaluating infrastructure, including the architectural planning and building of structures for housing poultry. Additionally, they will review records of poultry registration, as both commercial and subsistence farmers and breeders are required to register their poultry and furnish the necessary documents when asked.
Other roles include inspecting poultry waste management and its products, such as eggs, etc.
Powers of Chicken Inspectors
Inspectors are authorized to access any location where poultry is being readied, conserved, packaged, or kept.
They will also cease operations to inspect and apprehend any vehicle, aircraft, or vessel carrying poultry, its related items, or machinery, and inspect or examine any parcel containing poultry or its related products.
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Additional authorities involve inspecting documentation related to poultry kept by farmers engaged in both subsistence and commercial farming. These individuals will be required to maintain a registry that can be accessed upon demand. Furthermore, they will have permission to duplicate these records and review the information as desired.
“Any part of premises which an inspector has power to enter, or anything in such premises, shall be left undisturbed for so long as is reasonably necessary for any test or inspection and seize and detain for such time as may be necessary,” the regulations stipulate.
Obstruction of Inspectors
If a farmer refuses to follow a lawful directive preventing an inspector from entering any area – be it premises, land, or vehicle containing poultry or its products – they will be deemed as obstructing the inspector.
They will also face responsibility for refusing to furnish records and logs to poultry inspectors or supplying inaccurate and deceptive information that disrupts their activities.
If someone is proven to have committed the offense, they could face either a fine of up to Ksh500,000, a maximum imprisonment of one year, or both penalties upon conviction.
Training and Identification of Chicken Inspectors
Inspectors must adhere to the laws outlined in the Constitution and the Public Officer’s Ethics Act. Additionally, they must uphold the confidentiality of a poultry farmer and furnish a documented account of their activities as mandated by the entity that appointed them.
The Livestock Inputs and Products Regulatory Authority will select inspectors in collaboration with County Governments.
The governing body will create a training program and provide consistent and obligatory training sessions for poultry inspectors, aiming to improve their performance in service delivery.
After their training is finished, every poultry inspector will be officially listed in the gazette within 30 days.
During their work hours, they’ll need to present an ID or certificate issued by the Livestock Inputs and Products Regulatory Authority for identification purposes.
New Regulations Authorise Chicken Inspectors to Raid Homes & Vehicles in Search of Poultry
