On 20 May 2020, a disturbing incident was reported in Mbiruni village, Maara constituency, Tharaka-Nithi County, where three middle-aged men were accused of slaughtering and consuming dog meat, and selling some to unsuspecting villagers.
The men, identified as Michael Mwirigi and his friends, were seen slaughtering the dog belonging to Mwirigi and dumping the skin, intestines, and paws in a nearby stream.
According to eyewitnesses, Mr. Benson Nyaga Kangori, who was working in his farm nearby, saw the men skinning the animal and shouted at them, but they fled towards the stream where the skin and intestines were later found.
Speaking to journalists, Ms. Kagendo Njeru, a member of Nyumba Kumi, and Mr. Anderson Marangu, a village elder, said that after receiving the information, they visited Mwirigi and found some blood stains.
However, Mwirigi denied slaughtering and cooking the meat, but later admitted to eating the dog meat, claiming it was his 'goat' that he had reared.
Locals have blamed illicit brew consumption and bhang smoking for the deteriorating behavior of youths.
