Police officers from Murang'a County took swift action on Tuesday, July 11, and arrested traders from Kaharati market for selling painted avocados to unsuspecting buyers.

The intervention followed the circulation of a video clip online featuring a dissatisfied customer who had recently purchased the deceptively altered fruits from the bustling market.

"We cannot continue like this; we have to find a way forward. I understand your need to make ends meet, but you must conduct honest business that does not put consumers at risk," emphasized one of the officers.

The police officers cautioned the traders responsible for deceiving Murang'a residents, highlighting the need for honesty and preserving the market's reputation. They also expressed concerns that some traders were resorting to stealing fruits from other people's farms and then painting them to avoid detection.

"We will investigate to determine the source of these fruits. Cases of theft have increased in the area, and we must put a stop to it," added the officer.

Aside from the fraudulent practice of painting avocados, reports also indicated that traders in Kaharati market were resorting to injecting substances into bananas to give them the appearance of ripeness. Experts have warned that these adulterated fruits are unfit for human consumption.

In the viral video, the lady who purchased the avocados expressed her disappointment after washing off the paint, revealing the poor quality of the fruits.

"At first, I thought the avocados were unripe but mature, so I set them aside to ripen. However, I later realized they were not ripe but rotten. I have suffered losses," she narrated.

She discovered that the avocados had been painted to attract buyers, raising concerns about the potential health risks associated with consuming the painted fruits.

The lady attributed the traders' deceptive practices to greed and impatience, likely driven by the current tough economic climate.

Buyers are advised to exercise caution when purchasing food items from roadside vendors to avoid potential health complications.

In recent times, concerns have been raised about the quality of various food products, including yogurt, fries, samosas, bananas, and fried chicken, sold by roadside vendors in Kenyan cities and towns.

In March 2023, the Nairobi County Government issued a warning to Kenyans, urging them to be cautious when purchasing food items after investigations revealed that unscrupulous traders were repackaging expired foodstuffs and selling them as fresh products.