KENYA – The recently concluded AKEFEMA Animal Feed Exhibition and Conference (AFEC), held on 17th and 18th 2024 at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, spotlighted critical concerns in feed safety and quality in Eastern Africa.
During the conference, Dr. Kibira Muriuki of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) delivered a compelling session on the importance of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and a strict code of conduct in feed production.
Dr. Muriuki presented alarming statistics on the certification of feed manufacturers across Kenya.
While 45% of manufacturers in the Nairobi region are certified, the South Rift has a 30% certification rate, and the North Eastern region is significantly behind with only 0.2% certification.
This disparity points to a pressing need for improved feed safety standards, which directly impact food safety.
Key issues highlighted by Dr. Muriuki included the critical role of supplier management, meticulous record-keeping, and proper labeling in ensuring feed safety.
He also emphasized the need for stringent monitoring of contaminants such as dioxins, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and veterinary drugs.
The session underscored the dangers of biomagnification and bioaccumulation, where contaminants move up the food chain, posing severe health risks over time.
Additionally, organochlorines from pesticides and various microbiological hazards were identified as ongoing threats that require constant attention.
Kenya’s Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, who officially raised the curtain on the conference, stressed the need for feed manufacturers to adhere to established standards.
“It is common knowledge that within the over 300 feed manufacturers in the country, we have a number that trade in substandard products, negatively impacting the industry,” he stated.
Quality issues have been persistent
Earlier this year, in February, KEBS raised alarm over the quality of livestock feeds available in the local market.
Vincent Cheruiyot, KEBS North Rift regional manager, revealed that tests on animal feed samples showed over 50% lacked proper formulation.
“Out of 17 brands of poultry and dairy feeds tested in the region, only one met the required standards,” Cheruiyot noted a critical deficiency in essential ingredients, particularly protein sources and minerals, which are vital for livestock farmers.
This issue is exacerbated by the reliance on imported raw materials like cottonseed cake, sunflower, sardine (omena), and minerals, leading to inconsistencies in feed formulation.
To address these challenges, KEBS is seeking collaborations with county governments to encourage local farmers to cultivate the raw materials needed for feed production.
This initiative aims to reduce the cost of raw materials and lessen the dependence on imports, thereby enhancing the quality and safety of livestock feeds.
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