Activists protest State's deal with China on donkey products

Ministry signs deal with China on donkey market. [Standard]

Animal welfare advocates have faulted the State’s decision to enter into an agreement with the Chinese Government on export of donkey products.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation announced that it had signed a deal with Chinese Vice-Minister Zhang Jiwen to open up the market for donkey hides.

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) and a regional donkey advocacy organization, Brooke East Africa, had warned of the adverse effects of unregulated slaughter of the animals.

In a report released days before the China deal, the organisations warn that at the current rate of slaughter, there won’t be a donkey left in four years.

The report, titled Status of Donkey Slaughter in Kenya and its Implications on Community Livelihoods, reveals that the animals are being killed five times faster than their population growth.

Animal thefts

“The Government has these facts. The statistics are clearly showing the trends and challenges in the sector, too. We have been working with the Government to know the viability of donkey slaughter in the country and the same Government is going ahead to sign agreements,” said Brooke East Africa CEO Fred Ochieng’.

Mr Ochieng' warned that one of the consequences of continued donkey trade would be an increase in diplomatic rows with neighbouring countries caused by a rise in animal thefts from across the borders.

“Most local donkey abattoirs are already struggling with low stocks. The situation has led to a rise in cross-border smuggling of donkeys, which is a big security issue."

The chief executive said that further opening up of the export market meant that the Government would have to license more slaughterhouses thus making a bad situation worse.

Experts have warned that increased demand for donkey hides to manufacture Chinese traditional medicine has led to unregulated slaughter in four slaughterhouses that were licensed between 2016 and last year.

The abattoirs are Goldox Kenya in Baringo, Star Brilliant in Nakuru, Silzha in Turkana and Fuhai Machakos Trading Company in Machakos.

National Network of Donkey Owners chairman Robert Muteithia said the new deal with the Chinese Government would spell a bleak future for donkey owners in the country.

He noted that owners had been left to bear the brunt of losing animals because there were no structures in place for sustainable trade.

“Security agencies are yet to stem the soaring theft cases yet another deal is being signed. It is a big sell-out for donkey owners who have been calling for a ban on the trade,” Mr Muteithia said.