Authorities in Narok Central Sub-County have arrested two individuals found illegally pushing 69 donkeys during the night without valid permits from the livestock department. The incident occurred as the animals were being moved from Rotian toward Suswa trading center in Narok East, a region reportedly notorious for illegal donkey slaughter.
Sub-County Police Commander John Momanyi said the arrest was made following a tip-off from concerned residents. Officers, in collaboration with officials from the Farming Systems Kenya (FSK), intercepted the suspects and recovered the donkeys, which are believed to have been stolen from the Ololopil area.
“We collaborated with the non-governmental organization to arrest the two and recover the 69 donkeys,” said Momanyi. He praised the public for providing credible information and urged anyone who has recently lost a donkey to report to the police for assistance in reclaiming their animals.
Momanyi warned those involved in illegal donkey trading that police are on high alert. “We are aware that these illegal traders have adopted alternative routes to avoid police raids, but we are working closely with village elders, chiefs, and community members to detect such movements,” he stated.
The recovered donkeys are currently under the custody of FSK as authorities work to identify their rightful owners. FSK’s Samuel Chege expressed concern over the sharp decline in donkey populations, attributing it to increasing demand for their skins and private parts, used in traditional medicine for boosting libido, delaying ageing, and treating chemotherapy side effects.
Chege further warned that the slaughtering of donkeys in unsanitary bush locations poses serious health risks. Consumption of improperly handled donkey meat can transmit dangerous zoonotic diseases such as anthrax and rabies.
This latest arrest highlights the growing challenge of donkey theft and illegal trade in Kenya. Although donkey slaughterhouses were legalized in 2016 due to rising international demand, they were shut down in 2020 following a spike in theft cases. Facilities such as Goldox Kenya (Mogotio), Star Brilliant (Naivasha), Silzah Limited (Lodwar), and Fuhai Limited (Machakos) had been licensed but are no longer operational.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance from the public in reporting suspicious donkey movements to protect both the animals and public health.
