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Police in Narok Central sub county have arrested two people pushing 69 donkeys at the wee hours of the night without a legal permit from the livestock department.
The area Sub County Police Commander John Momanyi said the donkeys were being pushed from Rotian area toward Suswa trading center in Narok East Sub County where it is alleged that the animals are slaughtered and meat sold to unsuspicious buyers.
The arrest followed a tip-off from the members of the public who informed the police of the unusual happening, which led the police to raid the area in the company of officials from the Farming System Kenya (FSK) organization.
“We collaborated with the non-governmental organization to arrest the two and recover the 69 donkeys that were being driven from Ololopil area,” said Momanyi.
While thanking the members of the public for giving credible information that led to the recovery of the animals, the police boss advised those who have lost their donkeys in the recent past to report to the police so that they can be assisted to trace them.
At the same time, he warned those involved in the criminal activity that their days were numbered as the police were alert to avert the illegal business.
“We are aware that these illegal traders have adopted alternative routes to avoid police raids, but we are working with village elders, chiefs and members of the public to give information when they find a large number of donkeys being transported along their jurisdiction,” he continued.
Momanyi reiterated that the donkeys will be kept under the custody of FSK until the rightful owners make claims to recover them.
Samuel Chege, from FSK lamented the dwindling donkey population following high demand of their skins and private parts used to make traditional medicine alleged to supplement lost blood, delay ageing, increase libido and treat side effects of chemotherapy.
Additionally, the donkeys are slaughtered in the bushes, making the meat unhealthy for human consumption as they risk contracting zoonotic diseases, like anthrax and rabies, that are very fatal.
Last year, top security teams from Narok, Kajiado and Kiambu met at Ewaso Kidong area at the border of Kajiado and Narok Counties to deliberate on the issue following reports of increasing numbers of donkeys being slaughtered in the bushes.
Increased global demand for donkey meat and skin led to the establishment and licensing of donkey slaughterhouses in 2016 but later, the slaughterhouses were shut down in 2020 following an increased rate of donkey theft.
The slaughterhouses licensed to slaughter donkeys were: Goldox Kenya Limited in Mogotio, Star Brilliant in Naivasha, Silzah limited in Lowdar and Fuhai limited in Machakos.
