Ngobit residents in Laikipia Central sub-county could be eating donkey meat unknowingly after twelve heads of the animal were discovered by the authorities dumped in the bush in the area.
Confirming the incident, Laikipia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said that following the incident, they had since arrested one suspect believed to be purchasing donkeys in Kona Mbaya, Ngobit ward, and thereafter slaughtering them for meat.
“Following the information shared by the members of the public, a team of police officers and National Police Reservists (NPR) have arrested one suspect identified as Amos Kiragu. He was involved in the purchase of donkeys in the Kona Mbaya area only for the heads and intestines dumped in the bush along the Ngobit River,” revealed the CC. He added that the suspect was expected to be arraigned in court.
Kanyiri further pointed out that they believed the meat from the 12 carcasses discovered was being ferried to be sold in the major towns in the locality.
The administrator cautioned residents against rushing to purchase cheap and uninspected meat, which he said could lead to the spread of zoonotic diseases, and at the same time urged the county veterinary offices to be vigilant against the butchers who were retailing the unauthorised meat.
Recently, Laikipia residents were also warned against purchasing game meat in Kariguini, Makutano, Mukima, Mlangoni, Ilipolei, Mukinyei, and along the Nyeri-Nyahururu route after an increase in dik-dik and antelope poaching.
By Muturi Mwangi
