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Donkeys slaughter firm Goldox Kenya Limited is embroiled in a legal battle with the State over a ban on the trade of the animal's meat. In its case against Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives Ministry and Attorney General Kihara Kariuki, Goldox complained that it was never given a hearing before the minister revoked its licence. The firm told High Court Judge James Makau that it was given a month to transform its business from a donkeys meat trade to selling cattle meat.
“The first respondent (Livestock CS) does not have powers or authority to ban any business including the petitioner’s slaughter business,” Goldox’s lawyer Thoman K’Bahati argued.
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On February 24, 2020, Agriculture CS Peter Munya banned donkey slaughter in the country. He directed that four abattoirs dealing with donkey meat and hides - Goldox and Star Brillian Limited (Nakuru), Silzha Limited (Turkana), and Fuhai Company Limited (Machakos) stop the trade.
“The allegation of rampant theft of donkeys that was the basis of the directive was not backed by evidence. The CS did not give the number of stock theft cases reported to show how prevalent it was to warrant the ban,” Goldox argued.
While denying involvement in the alleged donkey theft syndicate, the firm asserted that they relied on permits from administrators to move all their stock, a move that effectively locked out dealing with stolen animals.
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“Goldox only accepts donkeys with documented permits and from reliable, credible, and known sources. The petitioner strictly requires animals to be approved by the origin veterinary officers and location chiefs who issue movement permits,” Goldox’s court papers read in part.
The butchery said it had complied with required government regulations and owns a donkey breeding facility, which serves their meat demand. The firm now fears that thousands of jobs will be lost if Munya’s ban is allowed to stand, adding that he did not consider that there were products like skins that would go bad out of his abrupt action. The State has not responded. The case will be mentioned on February 2, next year.
