This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
Published on July 26, 2019, a report by Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) warned that Kenya's donkey population is at risk of extinction by 2023.
The alarming rate of donkey slaughter, estimated at 1,000 animals per day, has led to a significant increase in donkey theft and a thriving black market for donkey meat.
The establishment of more slaughterhouses to meet the high demand from local and international markets has been attributed to the classification of donkeys and horses as food animals seven years ago.
Currently, there are four major donkey abattoirs in Kenya, including Goldox Kenya Limited in Mogotio, Baringo County, and Star Brilliant Abattoir at Maraigushu in Naivasha.
Animal welfare lobby groups are calling on the government to withdraw the abattoirs' licenses until measures are put in place to guarantee the welfare of the animals and to crack down on cross-border smuggling of donkeys.
