OPINION: The illegal donkey bush slaughter dilemma; a frightening feast for meat-lovers

 By Stephen Kiprop

Just two days ago, a shocking revelation sent shockwaves among meat enthusiasts: 38 donkey carcasses, suspected to have been slaughtered for meat, were discovered in a remote Mwingi bush.

A viral video captured the raw emotions of a woman who unequivocally expressed her disapproval of this grim scene.

Sadly, the Mwingi incident is not an isolated occurrence; it pales in comparison to the disconcerting situation unfolding in the bushes of Ndeiya, Kiambu County.

Thousands of donkey carcasses have overwhelmed the area, with those involved in this gruesome trade playing a relentless cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement, constantly relocating their operations from one slaughter spot to another.

Deceptive Disguise: Donkey Meat as Beef

For those who recently travelled along the Narok route, you may have witnessed hundreds of donkeys being herded along the highway. Reports suggest these donkeys are guided to their final destination in the bushes for slaughter, with their meat deceptively passed off as beef, finding its way to popular meat markets such as Burma Market and Kiamaiko Market.

The unsettling truth is that most, if not all of us, may have unknowingly consumed uninspected donkey meat, with the fortunate outcome that the slaughtered donkeys didn't have health complications, which could be a perilous ticking time bomb, as noted by a veterinary officer.

Dr. Raphael Kinoti, a veterinary professional and the Regional Director of Brooke East Africa, an organization committed to the welfare of working equines, warns of dire consequences. Slaughtering a donkey infected with diseases like anthrax, equine flu, or rabies poses a significant public health risk, potentially affecting populations in Nairobi and various towns where this meat is consumed.

This revelation raises significant questions: How did we find ourselves in this precarious situation? What potential risks do we face? And, most importantly, what steps is the government taking to address this looming crisis?

From Lifeline to Meat: The Grim Reality

The situation is further complicated by the fact that many donkeys are stolen from their owners who rely on them for various purposes. For instance, in Kitui, donkeys serve as a vital link to distant water sources, particularly for women.

The origin of this dilemma can be traced back to the donkey hide trade. In 2016, Kenya authorized the operation of the first donkey slaughterhouse, which later increased to four, primarily to meet the demand for donkey hides used in making Chinese traditional medicine called Ejiao. This valuable medicine is processed into bars, pills, or liquids for various consumable goods and beauty products.

Dwindling Donkey Numbers: The Start of the Decline

The consequences of this decision have been staggering. In just three years (2016-2018), the four donkey abattoirs in Nakuru, Baringo, Turkana, and Machakos slaughtered 301,977 of Kenya's donkey population.

This accounted for 15.4 percent of the country's donkey population, according to the 2019 Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) report titled "The Status of Donkey Slaughter for Skin Trade and Its Implications on the Kenyan Economy."

KALRO's projection indicates that Kenya may have slaughtered the last of its donkey species this year. The rate of slaughter continues to deplete the donkey population, which stood at 1,965,632 as of 2016, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

When the 2019 census data came out, the reality of this projection came to life, with the donkey population dropping drastically to 1.1 million.

The Hidden Trade Continues: Bad Business?

Reports suggest that the trade in donkey skin continues under the covers, contributing to the increasing number of donkey slaughters.

In the 2019 KALRO report, it was estimated that each working donkey generates an average income of KSH 11,393 per month. Assuming that 25% of the slaughtered donkeys were working animals, the income foregone by donkey owners and users, who depend on these animals for their livelihood, was valued at KES 28.3 billion during the reference period.

In stark contrast, the gross revenues from the export of donkey meat and skin amounted to KES 1.82 billion. This significant discrepancy, with the foregone income being 15 times more than the gross revenue, raises serious questions about the financial viability of donkey slaughter and trade.

The Dar-es-Salaam Declaration on Donkeys

At the first Pan-African Donkey Conference, held last year in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, delegates drafted an urgent declaration to propose to the African Union Congress. The ‘Dar es Salaam Declaration on Donkeys in Africa Now and in the Future’ recommends a 15-year ban on the slaughter of donkeys for their skins across the continent.

The declaration is also pushing for further policies, strategies, programs, and legislation to help protect donkeys on both a national and regional level.

While Africa pushes to achieve this, where does Kenya position itself? Last year, Tanzania's government put a ban on donkey slaughter for at least the next 10 years. Kenya needs to join the rest of the African countries and protect the donkey species, which continues to diminish in numbers since they are seasonal breeders.

Cruel slaughtering of animals is an offense, according to Kenyan law CAP-360. The situation these donkeys often endure when being slaughtered in the bushes causes mental torture to the animals, as per the law.

The law indicates that any person who, whether in any slaughterhouse or abattoir or in any place other than a slaughterhouse or abattoir, and whether for human consumption or not, slaughters an animal in such a manner as to cause it more suffering than is necessary or in the sight of another animal awaiting slaughter shall be guilty of an offense and liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand shillings or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both.

The government must urgently address this situation by ensuring that food safety is a top priority. All meat must be inspected and slaughtered in designated abattoirs in total adherence to the Meat Control Act, which indicates that no person shall slaughter any animal in a slaughterhouse without prior inspection by an inspecting officer, except in emergencies.

The implications of not doing so are severe, and it's vital that we consider the risks associated with our food sources. Animal welfare is also paramount; innocent donkeys should not be subjected to such torture, including being transported in overloaded vehicles and enduring treacherous night treks.

Additionally, there is a need for the government to investigate the illegal trade of donkey skin and ensure that no donkey owner or user loses their animal due to theft.