Alarm as Donkey Skins Trade Poses Health Hazard in Kitui County

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

A truck transporting 3721 donkey skins was impounded by a multi-agency team along Mwingi-Thika Highway near Kanyonyoo trading centre. |MWINGI TIMES

A multi-agency team of security officers manning the Mwingi -Thika Highway impounded a truck transporting 3721 donkey skins near Kanyonyoo trading centre.

After inspecting the consignment, the Kitui County Chief Officer for Livestock and Apiculture Jonathan Kyambi said the illegal haul was destined for export to China where donkey skin was in high demand.

Kyambi regretted that the discovery of the  high number of donkey skins raised fears that wanton illegal slaughter would lead to extinction of donkeys in Kitui. He consequently sent out a SOS to Kitui residents to help protect donkey from getting extinct by reporting to government authorities unscrupulous traders involved in illegal donkey trade or slaughter for meat and hides.

“The impounding of 3721 donkey skins is a clear indication that such a high number of donkey has been exterminated. It shows that donkeys in Kitui are endangered and the trend must stop,” said Kyambi.

When the track crew was questioned they gave an unconvincing explanation that they were transporting the donkey skins from Turkana to Mombasa.

“How could they transport the donkey skins from the North from Kitui that is not possible. They were lying. If the illegal slaughter of donkey continues unabated, donkeys will be extinct,” he lamented.

He further pointed the that the killing of donkeys that were obviously happening in the bush posed a health hazard.  He expressed concern that the meat that could be contaminated could find its way to peoples’ tables. "All donkey abattoirs have been ordered closed by the government and illegal slaughter was a health hazard as such contaminated meat may endanger the lives of unsuspecting residents should they consume it,” he cautioned.

The Chief Officer said it was time for the security officers manning major roads in Kenya and also at  Mombasa not to take bribes and look the other way to allow the exports of donkey hides.