Meat on display in a butchery.
Vicious cartels are slaughtering donkeys for sale of meat to unsuspecting Kenyans in a dark trade thriving in Embu and Kirinyaga.
For several months now, the racketeers operating in the two counties have been stealing donkeys from farmers at night, after which they secretly slaughter them in bushes and homesteads.
The meat ends up being sold to unsuspecting consumers in as far as Nairobi.
Illegal donkey meat trade is widespread in Embu and Kirinyaga counties, an issue which has raised concerns among authorities and residents.
The trade exposes residents and other consumers outside the two counties to high risk as the meat which is not inspected is prepared in unhygienic conditions.
Livestock theft
Farmers have been complaining of rampant theft of their beast of burdens, urging the government to intervene.
Recently, a Kirinyaga farmer, Stephen Macharia lost six donkeys to the criminals.
"I had tethered my donkeys in Ngurubani area and when I went to check on them, I found them missing only to find my animals slaughtered in a bush. It was then that I reported the matter to Wang'uru police station," said Mr Macharia.
He said donkey thieves were dangerous and they should be tamed.
"The thieves are interested in meat which is sold locally while the skins are in high demand in Asian countries," said Mr Macharia.
Four people found transporting suspected donkey meat have been arrested in Makutano area of Kirinyaga County.
The donkeys are stolen by well organised unscrupulous butchers from the area and Nairobi.
Already four suspects have been arrested by detectives in Embu county for questioning.
Packed and shipped
On Wednesday, detectives seized 1,500 kilogrammes of donkey meat in Embu county, suspected to be unfit for human consumption.
Consequently residents have been cautioned against buying meat from unknown sources.
No ceremony is complete in the countryside without an animal being slaughtered. That means that there is one indispensable man in the village – the butcher.
The meat was on transit to unknown destination when it was seized by detectives along the Kiritiri-Embu highway.
The vehicle was ferrying the meat stashed in gunny bags when it was intercepted by DCI officers heading towards Embu town.
Also seized were 15 donkey hides and private parts also believed to be headed to an unknown market.
One suspect who was driving the vehicle is in police custody awaiting arraignment in court after processing as detectives embarked on a search for those behind the racket.
The incident comes after another one in which police seized 20 fleshly slaughtered donkey carcasses in a homestead in Runyenjes Constituency in December last year.
In the Runyenjes incident, three suspects were also nabbed during the raid with authorities suspecting the meat was meant to be circulated in various markets in the area and parts of Nairobi.
And last month, 31 donkeys were found slaughtered in a homestead at Makutano area in Mbeere South Constituency, raising fears that residents could be consuming contaminated donkey meat unknowingly.
Caution
Following the development, members of the public have been asked to be watchful of the meat they consume and from what source.
Embu West sub-County Public Health Officer John Njagi said the incidents point towards an intricate web of illegal donkey slaughter in the county and thus residents must be extra vigilant when buying meat.
“We are heightening vigilance to ensure uninspected meat is removed out of the market to avoid risk of infections,” he said.
Meat on display in a butchery.
Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Arther Njiru said the threat of contracting zoonotic diseases is rife following an outbreak of anthrax in some parts of Embu from December last year.
Kirinyaga Donkey Owners Association chairman Silas Gitonga admitted that theft of the beasts of burden is the order of the day in the region, adding that the Association is opposed to the slaughtering of donkeys and would help authorities to stamp out the crime.
Mr Gitonga called on the government to ensure no more trade in donkey meat to protect the beasts of burden whose population is dwindling.
He revealed that his three donkeys were also stolen and slaughtered in a bush.
"In Kirinyaga county alone, more than 300 donkeys have been stolen and slaughtered since November last year, " said Mr Gitonga, adding that 40 donkey owners who lost their animals to the unscrupulous butchers had reported the matter to the police.
"We recorded statements at Wang'uru police station after we lost our donkeys to the criminal elements on the loose," said Mr Gitonga.
The Kenya Society for protection and Care for Animals organisation said theft and slaughter of donkeys affect livelihoods of communities dependent on the beast of burden for survival.
The organisation project manager, Mr Raphael Ngome said illegal transportation and slaughter of donkey is against the law and the vice should be stopped.
He said his organisation in collaboration with Brooke East Africa rescued 450 donkeys in 2024 from various hotspots which were headed for illegal slaughter.
