A shocking discovery in Kiambu and Kajiado counties has sparked widespread concern among residents and authorities after large numbers of donkey carcass parts were found abandoned in separate incidents.
The incidents have raised questions about the safety of the meat trade, animal theft, and public health risks.
In Juja, Witeithie, Kiambu County, detectives and public health officers uncovered 30 donkey heads and 120 legs discarded in a thicket along Ndarugo Majahi Road. Investigations revealed that the animals had been slaughtered elsewhere before the parts were delivered and dumped at the site.
Authorities are still trying to trace where the meat was transported, as it appears that only the less valuable parts were abandoned. The police and health officials emphasized that the meat could have been sold to unsuspecting buyers in Nairobi and other urban areas under the guise of beef, posing a potential public health risk.
Meanwhile, in Eriteti village, Kajiado West, another alarming case emerged when officers recovered 34 slaughtered donkeys. Police said the animals were intended for transport to Nairobi for consumption, but the suspects fled the scene, abandoning two vehicles that were meant to carry the meat.
These vehicles were impounded and taken to a police station as part of the ongoing investigation. According to Kajiado West police commander Maureen Kuto, residents had raised the alarm after observing a large number of donkeys being driven into the area. Officers fear that some of the meat may already have reached markets before authorities intervened.
Both incidents have highlighted a pattern of illegal donkey slaughter in parts of Kenya. Officials noted that most of the animals were likely stolen from homes and killed under the cover of darkness. Limuru and Naivasha are known hotspots for similar cases, where thieves target donkeys either for meat or hides.
While the slaughter and sale of donkey meat are legal in Kenya, following the High Court’s 2020 decision lifting the ban on slaughterhouses, the illegal trade remains a significant concern due to its links to theft and black-market activities.
The legal status of donkey meat in Kenya dates back to 2012 when donkey slaughter was formally legalized. This move allowed slaughterhouses to operate and sell both meat and hides, often to Asian markets. However, the legalization has coincided with a noticeable decline in the country’s donkey population, largely due to theft and unregulated slaughter.
A report by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) indicated that over 4,000 donkeys were reported stolen between April 2016 and December 2018, underscoring the scale of the problem.
Despite the legality of donkey meat, it remains largely unpopular among most Kenyans. Veterinary experts confirm that donkey meat is safe for human consumption, yet its adoption as a food source has been limited.
Nevertheless, unscrupulous traders continue to exploit the situation, sometimes disguising donkey meat as beef and selling it to unsuspecting consumers in urban markets. Public health officials are particularly concerned that such practices could lead to contamination and food safety issues if the meat is not handled or processed correctly.
Residents in both Kiambu and Kajiado have demanded a comprehensive investigation into the incidents, calling for authorities to identify the individuals responsible and determine the final destination of the stolen meat and other donkey parts, including hides.
Police and public health officials are intensifying their investigations to track down the suspects and prevent further illegal activities.
The events have reignited public debates about the ethics, legality, and regulation of donkey slaughter in Kenya, emphasizing the need for stricter monitoring of slaughterhouses and meat distribution channels.
The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in controlling livestock theft and the illegal meat trade. While Kenya has established legal frameworks for donkey slaughter and the sale of their products, enforcement gaps continue to allow criminal elements to exploit the system.
Authorities have pledged to increase surveillance and crackdown on the illegal trade to protect the remaining donkey population and ensure that meat sold in markets is safe and properly sourced.
In conclusion, the discovery of donkey carcasses in Kiambu and Kajiado counties highlights a complex problem involving theft, illegal slaughter, and potential public health risks.
As investigations continue, residents and authorities are calling for decisive action to safeguard livestock, prevent black-market meat distribution, and protect consumers from consuming improperly sourced animal products.
