Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi on Saturday, June 17, hinted at removing a ban on the slaughter of donkeys and the sale of donkey meat across the country.
Speaking in Baringo, Linturi stated that donkeys were considered livestock under his ministry and that he would take care of them as well as ensure the welfare of their owners noting that the matter was under consideration.
The CS added that if donkey slaughter was permitted, the government would take precautionary measures to ensure that it will be done in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Constitution.
His move, he explained, was a result of unemployment caused by the ban. He noted that if lifting the ban would provide employment for the youth, then it was the right thing to do.
“If lifting the ban will ensure that young people go back to work, then I will make sure that everything that is possible is done so that they can get employment.
“I am thrilled to hear that because if people can take the meat, then why don't we give them the meat and even export so that we can have foreign currency from donkey meant," he emphasised.
His remarks came after complaints by Baringo residents including Mogotio MP Ruben Kiborek who lamented that since the ban on donkey slaughter was effected, many lost their jobs.
Donkey Meat Dealers Arrested
Elsewhere, police officers in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, arrested two suspects after raiding a homestead and uncovering an illegal donkey slaughtering syndicate.
During the raid, police officers recovered 51 donkeys set for slaughtering as well as donkey remains.
Kikuyu Deputy County Commissioner Erick Wamurefu warned of a rise in donkey theft stating that many were stolen from other regions and taken to Dagoretti for slaughter.
In August 2021, the government banned the slaughter of donkeys and shut down all donkey abattoirs in an effort to save the animals from extinction.
The move came after the High Court overturned a donkey slaughter ban that had been in effect since February 2020 which allowed the slaughter and sale of donkey meat as well as hides to Asian markets and beyond.
The government, however, argued that the commercialisation of donkey slaughter would deplete the donkey population as well as have a direct impact on those whose lifestyles depended on the animal for the transportation of goods.
