Donkey owners in Turkana County have welcomed the government decision to ban donkey’s slaughter.
Led by their chairman Joseph Longodei, the donkey owners lauded the government for heeding their pleas.
Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives CS Peter Munya on February 24 banned slaughter of donkeys in the country, following numerous complaints and protests from association of donkey owners in the country.
Munya immediately revoked their licenses to slaughter donkeys. Subsequently, owners of four donkey abattoirs including Silzah abattoir in Turkana County were given a month’s notice to transform their slaughter houses to handle cattle, sheep, goats and chicken meat.
Longodei complained that the donkey slaughter business had led to rampant theft of the beast of burden in the county since 2016.
“The stolen donkeys are never recovered and owners who attempt to visit the Silzah abattoir in Lodwar are denied access to the abattoir,” said Longodei.
According to Julius Nangole a community representative from Napetet village in Lodwar, the government should intervene and ensure that those who had sold donkeys to the Silzah abattoir are paid their dues before the slaughter houses close their trade.
Nangole said they had taken two petitions to the county assembly and another to the national government. The county government is yet to conclude the petition.
He further alleged that the Silzah abattoir is still operating despite the government order revoking licenses for donkey slaughter houses.
By Peter Gitonga
