Donkey Farmers Condemn Donkey Slaughter, Call On Government Action
By Isabella Maua
Donkey farmers within Mt. Elgon Sub County have strongly condemned the recent donkey slaughtering in Kenya, calling upon the government to take stern action on the culprits.
Speaking during a protest held at Kipsis in Cheptais, the farmers who keep and use donkeys expressed their dissatisfaction with how the government is handling the issue of the donkey meat market in the country.
“We strongly curse all those involved in stealing, slaughtering, and selling donkey meat and skin because we know they are making a lot of money at the expense of innocent farmers and Kenyans,” decried Malton Tutei, who owns 3 donkeys.
According to him, donkey slaughter is an abomination, and eating its meat is not only risky but also socially unacceptable.
Tutei observes, “Donkeys are like gold here in Mt. Elgon; they have really changed our lives for many years, and we love and treasure them. They are the ones who transport our farm produce to far markets like Chwele, Chepkube, and Kimilili, given our mountainous and rugged terrain.”
Judy Chebet is a mother of 4 and expresses how the 5 donkeys she owns have transformed her home and the education of her 6 children from primary school to college.
“I have used my donkeys as a source of income since I got married here in Cheptais; my children have learnt to use the money I get from lending out my donkeys and using them to carry foodstuffs and other goods to and from the markets around,” Chebet narrated.
The farmers, on the other hand, discouraged fellow Kenyans from eating meat anyhow since they could unknowingly buy and eventually eat donkey meat.
“We should avoid eating meat and go back to our traditional vegetables like black nightshade and spider plant, which are healthier. Many of us must have eaten donkey meat unknowingly, and it’s disturbing,” bemoaned Nancy Chepkurui.
According to the farmers, they will suffer a great deal if the government doesn’t act promptly to cease the donkey meat business, which is a threat to their livelihoods, as few are benefiting from China donkey skin markets.
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