Kenya Veterinary Association demands total ban on donkey skin trade

The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has made an urgent appeal to the government to enforce a total ban on the commercial slaughter of donkeys and the export of donkey skins, warning that continued trade poses a grave threat to public health, animal welfare, and the country’s cultural fabric.

The association’s statement, released on April 4, aligns with the African Union’s 15-year moratorium on the donkey skin trade issued in 2024 and calls on Kenya to honor its constitutional duty to protect animals, the environment, and vulnerable communities.

KVA noted that between 2016 and 2019, Kenya’s donkey population plummeted by over 40%—a decline driven by China’s demand for ‘ejiao’, a traditional medicine made from donkey hide gelatin.

“Donkeys are more than animals in Kenya—they are lifelines for families, especially in ASAL areas,” said a KVA spokesperson in the statement. “The donkey skin trade undermines food security, public health, and the cultural identity of entire communities.”

KVA acknowledged efforts by the government, including a 100-day Rapid Results Initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in 2024, which intensified security crackdowns on illegal donkey slaughter and meat trade.

Still, the association warns that illicit trade persists, often fueled by cross-border smuggling and organized theft. The consequences, they say, are far-reaching.

In the statement, KVA highlighted several dangers: “The trade threatens public health through meat fraud, with uninspected donkey meat sold to consumers as beef, and mental trauma caused to the donkey-dependent communities by donkey theft.”

Beyond health concerns, the association pointed to broader constitutional violations—particularly those relating to property rights, cultural protection, and the right to a healthy environment.

KVA called on the government to not only revoke all existing slaughter licenses but to criminalize illegal smuggling and develop a national donkey identification and tracking system.

They also urged investment in alternative livelihoods for communities previously reliant on the trade.

“Kenya must lead Africa by example—by turning policy into action and protecting its people, animals, and constitutional values,” the statement read.

In a related appeal, KVA also called for urgent reforms in food safety governance, particularly around animal source foods (ASFs) such as meat, milk, fish, and honey. The association emphasized that food safety is not a luxury but a necessity for national development.

“Unsafe ASFs contribute to a high burden of foodborne diseases… An estimated 70% of households in Kenya experience foodborne illnesses annually,” KVA stated.

The organization wants county and national governments to fast-track food safety legislation, strengthen compliance enforcement, and invest in inspection capacity across the food value chain.

“This is everybody’s responsibility,” the press brief concluded.