Kenya risks losing all its donkeys by the year 2023 if the current mass slaughter continues.
According to a report by Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), the establishment of more slaughterhouses to meet the high demand from the local and international markets threatens to wipe out the animal.
It is estimated that 1,000 donkeys are slaughtered in the country daily. This has also led to an increase in donkey theft.
The study attributes the establishment of more donkey slaughterhouses to the classification of donkeys and horses as food animals seven years ago.
Currently, there are four major donkey abattoirs in Kenya namely Goldox Kenya Limited in Mogotio, Baringo County, Star Brilliant Abattoir at Maraigushu in Naivasha, Silzha Ltd at Nakwaalele in Turkana, and Fuhai Machakos Trading Company Ltd.
The report was compiled by Mr. Josiah Ojwang, Dr. Dennis Bahati and Mr. Sebastian Mwanza from Africa Network for Animal Welfare; and Mr. Bernard Atsiaya of Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals.
Animal welfare lobby groups are calling on the government to to withdraw the abattoirs’ licences until measures are put in place to guarantee the welfare of the animals.
They also want a crackdown on cross-border smuggling of donkeys, Daily Nation reports.
