Man arrested in Kiambu on suspicion of slaughtering and selling donkey meat
Police in Kikuyu, Kiambu County have arrested a man who was rearing more than 50 stolen donkeys.
The suspect was arrested in his home in Kikuyu where police believe he has been slaughtering the donkeys before selling them to butcheries.
Kikuyu Sub County police boss Mr Donald Kirui said the suspect has been slaughtering the donkeys and selling them at Dagoretti Market.
“We have managed to arrest the suspect and he will be arraigned in court next week. He has been slaughtering the donkeys and selling them to the local market,” Mr Kirui said.
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He said that already investigations had been launched to arrest more people who are involved in selling donkey meat.
Area residents noticed suspicious activities going on in the suspect’s homestead which prompted them to alert the police.
Police officers recovered knives and machetes from the suspect’s home which are believed to have been used in slaughtering the animals.
“We have also found the suspect in possession of Sh52,000 and we believe the money was collected from the business,” said the police boss.
He also asked area residents to be cautious when buying meat saying they could end up unknowingly consuming donkey meat.
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This comes just a day after police and health officials launched a manhunt for thieves who stole and slaughtered 25 donkeys in a forest in Limuru, Kiambu County.
Police say preliminary investigations showed that the donkeys had been stolen elsewhere and were taken to the forest where they were slaughtered.
The skins of the donkeys were also found packed ready to be transported. The skins are usually used to make Chinese medicine.
Kenya’s population of donkeys is under threat after the High Court lifted a 2020 ban on donkey slaughterhouses, allowing them to resume selling the meat and hides to Asian markets.
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