Nairobi County bans Probox vehicles from transporting meat
By Kenneth Mwenda, November 13, 2025Nairobi County has banned Probox vehicles from transporting meat to city markets, citing health risks and a recent anthrax incident.
The directive was issued by County Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba on Thursday, November 13, 2025, during a sanitation exercise at Burma Market. Nyakaba said the ban applies to all meat deliveries from the county or other abattoirs.
“To maintain health standards in meat facilities, we have banned Probox cars from carrying meat. Any approved vehicle should have an identification number that can be traced back to the market. This will help prevent cases like the one we had last week involving anthrax,” he said.
Nyakaba clarified that while Probox vehicles can continue to carry passengers, they are no longer permitted to transport meat under any circumstances. The county also announced that car wash operations outside slaughterhouses, such as those at Burma Market, will no longer be allowed.
Hygiene measures
The ban comes amid ongoing efforts to improve hygiene and safety standards in Nairobi’s meat markets. During the sanitation exercise, public health officers fumigated and cleaned the market, conducted hygiene inspections, and met with the market committee and traders to reinforce compliance with public health regulations.
“Today we were at Burma Market to inspect meat facilities and ensure they meet the highest public health standards. As demand for meat rises during the festive season, it is our responsibility to maintain these standards,” Nyakaba said.
The exercise was part of a wider initiative to prevent bacterial contamination and ensure that all meat vendors hold valid licences. Nyakaba urged traders to comply with the Meat Control Act, which outlines clear standards for handling, transporting, and storing meat.
“The Meat Act already provides standards on how to transport meat and the necessary processes. We encourage those in charge to do their best and ensure full adherence,” he added.
In addition, Governor Johnson Sakaja has approved the deployment of two public health officers at Burma Market to carry out continuous inspections, day and night.
The county’s measures are intended to strengthen public health safety and prevent disease outbreaks, particularly as meat demand increases during the festive season. The ban on Probox vehicles highlights the authorities’ focus on regulating transport standards and maintaining hygiene across all city meat markets.