Punda amechoka: Animal rights activists condemn rampant abuse of donkeys in Northern Kenya

Moyale Donkeys Welfare Association has warned donkey users against drugging their animals with bhang to work harder and longer.

Speaking during a mass vaccination exercise for donkeys at the Moyale Livestock market, Group Chairperson Hussein Osman asked locals to give donkeys physical and psychological care.

"Donkeys need to be treated like other domestic animals and owners should stop abusing them," he said.

Despite the immense benefits the communities gained from the animals ranging from transportation, exchange for the trade value chain, or dowry payment, donkeys are still largely abused in the region.

Similar concerns were echoed by the group Treasurer Hawo Gulleid, who said the animals have been neglected and suffer at the hands of their handlers.

"Some people transport diesel and other substances that are harmful to the donkeys' skin. Such acts expose the beasts of burden to bodily harm," she said.

Gulleid was concerned about the drastic decline in the number of donkeys due to the recent drought that claimed the lives of a number of them, and trafficking at the border.

"We need frequent vaccination drives and the provision of donkey feeds by the government, with needy households, especially the women-led ones given priority," she said.

Africa Animal Welfare Network Programme Officer Dennis Bahati said donkeys are the most neglected domestic animals in northern Kenya.

He expressed concern over the rampant abuse of donkeys especially in Moyale sub-county.

He added that as an animal expert, feeding animals marijuana in any form is ill advised and even exposed the handlers themselves to several risks.