Arise Media 
BY STEPHEN KILONZI
Authorities in Embu County have intercepted a consignment of illegally slaughtered donkey meat, raising fresh concerns over public health and the growing black-market trade.
The haul, believed to be from 15 donkeys, was transported in a van when law enforcement officers stopped it at a roadblock in Meka, Mbeere South.
Acting on a tip-off, officers discovered chunks of donkey meat hidden in sacks, along with donkey hides, underscoring the persistence of illicit meat dealings despite previous crackdowns.
A suspect was arrested at the scene, though investigators believe he is only a minor player in a larger, well-coordinated network.
Authorities suspect the syndicate disguises donkey meat as beef, endangering unsuspecting consumers.
The Embu County government has since launched a full-scale investigation and warned that traders caught dealing in unlicensed meat will face severe legal consequences.
“The public must be vigilant and only purchase meat from certified butcheries,” Embu West Sub-County Public Health Officer John Njagi said, cautioning that donkey meat, especially when processed under unhygienic conditions, poses serious health risks.
This is not the first such incident.
Recently, authorities impounded another consignment in Makutano, Mbeere South, where 31 slaughtered donkeys were found.
Local farmers, who rely on donkeys for transport and farm work, have decried the rampant theft of their animals, urging tougher penalties against perpetrators.
Security agencies have intensified patrols in known hotspot areas, but the ongoing trade suggests a well-established supply chain reaching beyond Embu.
Authorities are now working with neighboring counties to dismantle the network, warning that no one involved in the trade will be spared.
Residents have been urged to report any suspicious activity, especially unusual movements of donkeys or secretive slaughtering operations.
The county’s veterinary department has also ramped up surveillance to ensure all meat sold in the region is properly inspected and certified.
Although Kenya banned donkey slaughter in 2020 following public outcry, illegal traders continue to defy the law, raising concerns over both consumer safety and animal rights violations.
Whether this latest crackdown will deliver lasting results remains to be seen, but authorities insist they are committed to dismantling the thriving black-market trade.
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