An ad hoc committee for the Donkey Farmers in Kenya has been formed to spearhead the process of amending the laws on animal welfare.
Addressing media in Nakuru on Friday during a meeting that brought together donkey farmers form all the country, the farmers said they will not relent in pushing for strengthened laws to stop the abuse of animals.
According to Chairman National Network for Donkey Farmers in Kenya Mr Robert Maithethia, the law must be stiffened to protect animals from abuse.
“We have seen donkey farmers go through a lot of loss with the donkey slaughter business. We now want to take action and ensure the laws are stiffened to protect animals from abuse” he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by newly elected Secretary Mr Manase Ole Matungi who is a donkey farmer in Laikipia County.
He commended the fellow donkey farmers for coming up with the committee to look into the welfare of donkeys in the country.
According to him, the worrying statistics indicate that by 2023 there will be no donkey left in the country due to the 4 donkey slaughter businesses.
He is however quick to state that they will be working closely with the committee as well as donkey farmers across the country to ensure that they push through parliament the amendment of the animal act of 1999 that allowed donkeys to be slaughtered.
According to him, if the law can be revisited to bar the slaughter of donkeys then the animals can be saved and it will be a benefit to the donkey farmers.
“We shall be pushing through Parliament and Senate to have the animal's law amended so that we can save our donkeys from slaughter,” he said.
Ms Mary Kuria from Central region and who was elected treasurer says as donkey farmers the amendment to the law will help them a lot. She says they have gone through harsh moment since the establishment of the 4 licensed donkey slaughterhouses in the country.
“We are the ones facing it when our donkeys are stolen but with the formation of the ad-hoc committee, we believe all will be well to save our donkeys,” she said.
Farming Systems Kenya-an NGO working in advocating for the rights of animals has also been working closely with Brooke East Africa Kenya towards the same.
According to Farming Systems Kenya CEO Dr.Raphael Kinoti, donkeys should be protected as they have had a positive impact in transforming the lives of women and youths at grassroots.
He added that the transformation can only go on if the government will move in to stop the businesses of donkey slaughtering in the country.
Kenya currently has four licensed donkey slaughterhouses in Baringo, Nakuru, Turkana and Machakos which have led to the continued decrease in donkey population in the country.
The donkey hikes are sold in China. With statistics revealing that over 1000 donkeys are slaughtered on a daily basis in the slaughterhouses, Dr.Kinoti says if the government does not step in, then, farmers will be affected more in the future years.
In addition, the recent report released recently by KALRO reveals that Kenya loses 5 per cent of donkeys to slaughter against 1 per cent reproduction.
“One of the emerging issues is actually the donkey slaughterhouse the farmers are now feeling it. We have started thinking at the policy level. Why should the government allow a business that is not sustainable?” argued Dr Kinoti.