Residents of Mwingi are urgently calling on animal rights organizations to intervene as their donkeys mysteriously vanish, reportedly due to increasing demand for donkey meat amid the ongoing drought. It is important to note that the sale and consumption of donkey meat is unauthorized under the laws of the Republic of Kenya.
In exclusive interviews with Channel 15 News, donkey owners from Mwingi Central, West, East, and North Constituencies expressed deep concern over the alarming trend of losing their essential animal companions. These donkeys play a crucial role in transportation and have become targets for poachers looking to capitalize on the demand for donkey meat.
Pius Mutiso, a resident of Mwingi Central, lamented the loss of at least five donkeys each week to thieves who sell the meat to unsuspecting customers, with some of it reportedly ending up in Nairobi’s Burma market.
The affected residents are urging local authorities to address this critical issue and protect their livelihoods from the growing threat of donkey slaughter. They emphasize the importance of donkeys in their daily lives and the need for stronger enforcement against poaching activities, especially given the legal restrictions on donkey meat sales in the country.
