Drama as activists abandon 22 donkeys with graffiti at City Centre

Drama as activists abandon 22 donkeys with graffiti at Nairobi's City Centre. [PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

Nairobi, Kenya: There was drama outside I&M Building in Nairobi Thursday morning when a driver of a lorry abandoned 22 donkeys with graffiti painted on them ‘tumechoka (we are tired).

The driver said he was hired by a man and asked him to deliver the animals to the City Centre.

On reaching at the junction of Kenyatta Avenue/ Muindi Mbingu Street, the man who had hired him, allegedly jumped out of the lorry with the donkeys.

The driver said he panicked and also jumped out of the lorry briefly before he was traced.

Some of the donkeys had physical injuries. Six of them were pushed out of the lorry and left to wander along Muindi Mbingu Street.

More than 20 others were abandoned along Moi Avenue before they were driven away by police and County Government officials.

Donkeys that remained in the lorry were driven with the escort of the county askaris while those on Moi Avenue were herded away.

The animals were meant to send a message that Kenyans are tired of rising cost of living and insecurity, one of the activists who behind the incident said.

The writings on the backs of the animals were very clear and it attracted a huge crowd that wanted to have a glimpse of the writings.

“We are tired of this leadership,” shouted one activist as he pushed the donkeys out of the lorry. 

Police said they are looking for those behind the incident.

Rights activist Boniface Mwangi was spotted at the scene before he vanished for fear of being arrested.