A group of donkey farmers has expressed concern about a push to reopen slaughterhouses.
Following reports of a push to lift the ban on donkey slaughterhouses, the Agriculture Ministry has been urged to uphold it.
Farmers have said that the ban was a score to those who depend on donkeys, especially in semi-arid areas, where they are used to draw water and carry load.
According to Cyrus Waweru, a donkey farmer from Mauche in Njoro Sub-county, theft has decreased significantly since the ban was implemented.
“Our donkeys were stolen when donkey slaughterhouses were operational, but the ban has resulted in a reduction.” “We use the animals to fetch firewood, water, and agricultural produce from the farms,” Waweru explained.
“…the ban imposed by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture was a great milestone in saving donkeys who were on the verge of extinction,” said Njoro MP Charity Kathambi.
“The sale of donkey meat and skin fueled donkey and other animal theft.” This resulted in a new generation of criminals, who have since been tamed.”
The call to reopen the donkey slaughterhouses comes from some stakeholders, who were granted permission to resume operations by a Naivasha court.
