Donkey owners stage a 'meat strike' after surge in animal theft during Christmas festivities

Despite locals being warned against selling donkey meat while passing it off as beef, criminals have not shied away from the illegal activity, with owners counting losses.

Judy Chebet, a resident, said, "The donkeys are an important mode of transport for us. They help us carry luggage for long distances, but now we are worried because the trend of donkeys 'disappearing' during the festive season has already started again."

She continued, "I have six children and the donkeys are our source of livelihood and transport. The county government needs to step in and crack down on the criminals slaughtering the animals."

Malton Tutei, another local, echoed Chebet's sentiments, adding that, "We condemn the actions of the criminals slaughtering our donkeys. The authorities need to step in and deal with the menace as we depend on the donkeys for our livelihood."

Nancy Chepkurui, another local, said residents will stage a demonstration against the perpetrators, adding that they will go on a meat strike so that there is no market for the donkey meat.

"Since we cannot know which place is selling genuine meat and who is selling donkey meat, we will go on a meat strike and only eat kienyeji vegetables to protest against this criminal activity of slaughtering our donkeys," she said.

Chepkurui said, "How will we carry our loads when our donkeys are being slaughtered."