Donkeys stolen, found slaughtered in Naivasha

By Antony Gitonga                               

Residents display parts of four donkeys that disappeared and later found slaughtered in a thicket in Naivasha. (Photo:Antony Gitonga/Standard)

 

The department of public health Naivasha district has outlawed the hawking of food after four donkeys were found slaughtered in an estate within the town.

The district public health officer Samuel King'ori banned the sale of samosa and African sausage (mutura) until further notice.

This came as it emerged that the illegal sale of un-inspected donkey and game meat was on the rise with ten donkeys slaughtered in the last two weeks.

King'ori warned that anyone found flouting the law would be arrested and taken to court as the food was a health risk to consumers.

He expressed concern over the increase in incidents of donkeys getting slaughtered and their meat being sold to unsuspecting members of the public.

"Over ten donkeys have been slaughtered within this area and we suspect that the meat is been sold to unsuspecting members of the public," he said.

According to councilor Simon Wanyoike Wanango, the four donkeys were stolen in Kihoto estate and slaughtered in a nearby thicket.

Wanyoike admitted that the sale of donkey meat in the town was on the increase a move he attributed to the liberalization of the sector.

"Twenty five percent of the meat sold in Naivasha is questionable as we don’t know its source and this is very risky to consumers," he said.

According to Samuel Ndegwa who lost three of his donkeys, the move had rendered him jobless as he relied on the animals in his job.

The water vendor said that he woke up to find the animals missing and after searching for hours he found the carcass in a thicket.

Another victim Jeremy Maina called on the police to investigate the matter and arrest those involved.

“We have lost so many donkeys in Naivasha to a cartel dealing in the sale of meat and its time this was put to rest,” he said.