Donkeys at the Njoro Park during a Linda Punda Ushinde Competition Prize giving day. Photo/PristoneMambiliRampant cases of donkey theft and illegal slaughter have affected the livelihoods of many donkey owners.
Addressing media in Njoro on Wednesday during a Linda Punda Ushinde Competition, Executive Director Farming Systems Kenya, Dr.Raphael Kinoti, said donkeys contribute a lot to the livelihoods of many households in Kenya.
As such, he said, there should be efforst to protect the animal.
“The whole thing about prosecution of donkey theft cases has not been easy with police taking such cases with less seriousness,” he said.
He however noted that they have commenced a program to create awareness in police on handling the cases.
“We have began to involve police so that they can understand that donkey theft cases are like any other cases and should be taken seriously,” he said.
Kinoti said the setting up of slaughterhouses in Turkana, Naivasha and Mogotio has led to demands leading to theft cases.
“We have had talks with the government concerning the slaughterhouses but the government insists that they cannot be closed down. What the government failed to plan is budget considering supply for the slaughterhouses,” he said.
Sentiments echoed by Samuel Theuri from Brooke East Africa - an organization working to ensure better donkey welfare.
“We have 3 licensed slaughterhouses in the country but we are calling on the government that they ensure the donkeys slaughtered are not those stolen. Police on our roads should ensure that those transporting donkeys have permits,” he said.
Farming Systems Kenya is a Non-Governmental Organization formed in 1981 through the initiative of the Nakuru Lay People Fellowship of the African Inland Church.
Their main agenda is to reduce poverty thorough agricultural development with main focus being on small scale farmers.