Narok Elders Raise Alarm Over Surge in Illegal Donkey Slaughter
Narok, Kenya – Community elders in Narok County are calling for urgent action following a rise in illegal donkey slaughter, warning that the growing trade threatens both public health and the region’s donkey population.
Speaking during a community forum, Kelena Ole Nchoe, Chairperson of the Narok Maasai Council of Elders, said residents have reported cases of donkeys being stolen, slaughtered in bushes, and their meat sold secretly to unsuspecting consumers.
Ole Nchoe urged locals to remain vigilant, especially when they spot herders moving unusually large numbers of donkeys at night.
We have never seen donkeys being moved in herds like cattle. This is not normal. Donkeys stay at home and help our women transport water, firewood, and produce, he said. We must protect them.
Elders further noted that despite sensitization efforts, the illegal trade persists even after the government shut down licensed donkey slaughterhouses.
Robert Ole Ire, another community elder, said the bush slaughter poses a major health risk.
People are eating uninspected meat without knowing it. These illegal activities must stop, he warned.
According to Farming Systems Kenya official Sylvester Waku, the donkey population in Kenya has dropped sharply — from nearly 1.9 million in 2019 to less than one million today — due to high demand for donkey skins and meat.
Donkey skin, used in the production of ejiao, a product sought after in parts of Asia, continues to drive illegal trade despite the closure of formal slaughter facilities.
Elders are now calling on local authorities, residents, and security teams to increase surveillance and report any suspicious movement of donkeys to prevent further decline of the vital working animals.