Residents count losses as theft of donkeys resurfaces

Residents view the remains of two donkeys that were stolen from a compound near Wang’uru town, Kirinyaga County and slaughtered at a farm a short distance away. [Joseph Muchiri/Standard]

Donkey keepers in Mwea are worried following a resurgence in theft of their animals.

After a lull of close to six months, residents are alarmed after two donkeys were stolen and slaughtered last week.

The beasts of burden were driven from their tethered spot near Wangu’uru village and slaughtered in a nearby farm.

Residents woke up to find only the heads, skeleton, legs and offals remaining after thieves made away with hides and meat.

Donkey owners Jeviol Gitonga and Pius Muchira had tethered the donkeys at the same spot.

“I woke up at around midnight and went outside. The animals were still at the spot where we had tethered them. But at around 1pm, dogs started barking and when I went outside I did not see the donkeys,” said Gitonga.

He immediately informed villagers and a search was mounted.

It is only the following morning that they were informed about the remains of slaughtered donkeys. Kirinyaga Donkey Owners Association Chairman Cyrus Gitonga condemned the theft.