- A man from Kiamunyi, Nakuru County, has been arrested for posing as a qualified veterinarian and deceiving farmers.
- The operation, led by officers from the Kenya Veterinary Board, was initiated after receiving complaints about suspect services. Several Agrovets in the area have been closed .Farmers in South Rift are urged to remain vigilant against fake livestock products and ensure compliance with the law.
Several veterinary supply stores and Agrovets in Nakuru County have been shut down following a crackdown on unlicensed operations, with the Kenya Veterinary Board uncovering alarming levels of malpractice.
This followed a targeted operation on Saturday, September 14, 2024, by board officers, who posed as farmers seeking services. The sting led to the arrest of Robert Koech, a man from Kiamunyi posing as a qualified veterinarian.
Dr. Benson Kibore, chair of the Kenya Veterinary Board, confirmed the operation, explaining that complaints from local farmers regarding unreliable services had prompted the investigation.
“We discovered numerous violations,” Dr. Kibore said. “Some licensed practices were being left in the hands of unqualified individuals, which is a serious breach of the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Paraprofessionals Act of 2015.”
In addition to the arrest, authorities have issued warnings to South Rift farmers about the increasing sale of counterfeit livestock products. Business owners in the agricultural sector have been urged to adhere strictly to legal requirements to avoid dealing in fake products.
Read More
The arrest of Koech, a prominent case, highlighted the broader issues of fraud within the veterinary sector, emphasizing the need for vigilance from both authorities and farmers alike.
