By Antony Gitonga
The government has formed a taskforce to investigate cases of donkey theft that are later found slaughtered in Naivasha and its meat sold to unsuspecting members of the public.
This came as residents in the lakeside town found three more carcasses of donkeys that were slaughtered Thursday night bringing to 40 the number of donkeys killed in the last one month.
According to the Naivasha District Veterinary officer Dr Peterson Njiru, the taskforce is aimed at looking on possible ways to curb the rising cases of donkey theft.
Njiru said all the stakeholders including KWS, Public health, Provincial administration and his department have been involved in taskforce.
“At least four donkeys are slaughtered every week and we hope that the taskforce will help unearth the mystery behind this illegal trade,”
He said the culprits were taking advantage of donkeys loitering at night to slaughter them and called for a convenient place to keep them.
Though no one has so far been arrested, the officer said they were working closely with security organs to investigate the cases.
The three donkeys were found slaughtered near Lake view estate in Naivasha town with donkey owners accusing the police of laxity in dealing with the criminals.
One more donkey was left with injuries as it escaped from the brutal hands of the unscrupulous traders.
Naivasha donkey owners chairman Joseph Thendu said this was the second time in three days that donkeys have been found slaughtered.
“On Tuesday, seven donkeys were found slaughtered just outside the Prison gates and on Thursday, three donkeys were slaughtered a stone throw away from
the Naivasha Police Station’.
