Kitui CEC for Agriculture and Livestock Stephen Kimwele  speaks to the press outside his office on Wednesday. He is flanked by Ambrose Musyimi and Stella Ndunge of Kitui Caritas donkey protection programme /Musembi Nzengu

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Donkey meat may be finding its way onto the dining tables of Kitui residents during the Christmas festive season.

Agriculture and Livestock CEC Stephen Kimwele, has urged residents to purchase meat only from registered butcheries to avoid unknowingly consuming donkey meat.

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“As people celebrate Christmas, we want to caution them to ensure they consume only goat meat or beef. In our area, the consumption of donkey meat is prohibited,” Kimwele said.

The CEC warned that donkey meat slaughtered in the bush poses serious health risks, as it is often processed in unsanitary conditions and could be contaminated.

He expressed concern that the recent spike in illegal donkey trade and slaughter could significantly reduce the county’s donkey population, which stands at about 160,000 animals.

He also noted a worrying rise in donkey theft across the county.

“A large number of donkeys appear to be moved from the Mwingi region to Machakos county. They are transported from Kyuso through Kamuwongo and Waita before ending up in Machakos,” he said.

Addressing a press conference outside his office on Wednesday, Kimwele revealed that other herds were being moved from Kisasi and Kabati areas of Kitui to Machakos.

He said donkey traffickers were operating in neighbouring counties due to heightened surveillance and a crackdown on illegal donkey slaughter by Kitui authorities.

“I want to caution those involved in the illegal donkey trade in Kitui that the long arm of the law will sooner rather than later catch up with them and they will pay heavily,” he warned.

Kimwele appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report or impound large herds of donkeys being moved suspiciously, in line with the spirit of community policing.

“Anyone moving 20 or 30 donkeys at once must produce a valid movement permit or a no-objection permit. These documents show that the person is engaged in lawful business,” he said.

In November and December 2023, the county lost thousands of donkeys to illegal slaughter.

“We do not want to go back to that situation. At the time, at least 100 donkeys were being slaughtered illegally every day and we lost up to 3,000 animals,” Kimwele said.

He added that the figure could be three times higher, at about 10,000, since many cases went unreported.

He called on authorities in the neighbouring counties of Machakos, Makueni, Embu and Tharaka Nithi to remain vigilant and support Kitui’s efforts to curb the illegal slaughter of donkeys.

He pointed out that donkey skins were in high demand in Nairobi and international markets, particularly China.

Ambrose Musyimi, who is in charge of the donkey protection programme at Caritas Kitui, said that at least 30 people were arrested and charged in court last year for engaging in illegal donkey trade.

“Cases involving illegal slaughter and transportation were prosecuted and convictions were secured. Offenders were fined between Sh3,000 and Sh30,000 depending on the severity of the offence,” Musyimi said.