Police Bust Donkey Slaughtering Ring in Kiambu
- by EDWIN AUSTIN on Tuesday, 15 August 2023 - 2:48 pm
A FILE IMAGE OF A DONKEY CARRYING JERRYCANS OF WATER.
Police officers in Kiambu County conducted a raid targeting a unscrupulous ring slaughtering donkeys in Kiahiti village, during the late hours of Monday, August 14.
The officers recovered seven freshly butchered donkey carcasses, which were being readied for local consumption.
According to information released by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the police officers from Nachu police post, were acting on intelligence given to them by the public.
The officers are said to have arrived at the scene just in time to capture the vendors red-handed.
Donkeys being reared at a ranch.
However, three suspects managed to escape. However, the agency is pursuing them.
The officers suspected the meat was en route to butcheries in Kiahiti and nearby areas, destined for eventual transportation to Nairobi.
Police had received complaints from residents about unsettling noises emanating from the bushes during late hours, prompting the need for an investigation.
The police officers observed that the unscrupulous ring members intended to remove the boneless meat from the carcasses and sell it in urban areas.
City residents often find themselves paying a significant price, as the meat is deceptively presented as prime beef fillet and other boneless cuts.
For internal organs, the ring members reportedly bundle donkey intestines, kidneys, and other innards, which are sold to street food vendors across the country.
This practice primarily targets unsuspecting Kenyans, who consume street food like mutura and matumbo, without being aware of the origin of the ingredients.
In June this year, Kenyans took to the streets to protest against a plan by the government to allow donkey meat trade.
This came after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi hinted at the possibility of reopening the business saying it would help create more job opportunities for the youth.
