A joint operation led by Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Environment David Kuria and police officers from Juja resulted in the rescue of 30 donkeys, including two young ones, from a godown along Juja Farm Road. The animals were found during an operation that followed complaints by residents over the dumping of donkey and pig carcasses in residential areas of Juja. The discovery raised concerns that the remains could be linked to an organised slaughter operation.
Residents of Tola Estate had blocked the Ndarugu-Mang'u road with rotting animal carcasses in protest, saying they had endured a foul smell and feared the remains posed a serious public health risk. The residents accused authorities of failing to act despite repeated complaints. The dumping of carcasses had persisted for more than two months, with residents expressing concerns over the health and sanitation implications.
During the operation, officers found knives, animal hooves, intestines, and skins at the premises, which authorities said pointed to an active slaughter operation. Juja Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Ndege said preliminary investigations indicated that the slaughtering was allegedly carried out at night, with the operators taking advantage of the premises being closed during the day.
The Deputy County Commissioner said the discovery could explain the source of some of the carcasses that had been dumped along roads and in residential areas in Juja. Investigations would begin with the owner of the premises and other people linked to the operation. The authorities also suspect the godown could be part of a wider network, with investigations seeking to establish where the animals were sourced and whether other similar slaughter points existed in the area.
CEC Kuria described the operation as a breakthrough, saying the nature of the premises and the number of animals involved pointed to an organised operation rather than an isolated incident. He appealed to traders and members of the public dealing in meat to exercise caution and establish the source of meat before buying or selling it. Some of the donkeys found at the premises appeared to be sick, raising concerns over the potential health risks posed by meat from diseased animals.
Residents raised concerns that some of the donkeys could have been transported from outside the region, with Stanley Mwangi suspecting that some could be coming from the Mwea area in Kirinyaga County, where there have been concerns over theft of donkeys. Lilian Wanjiru warned that children were particularly vulnerable to health risks posed by the decomposing remains, and the situation could worsen during the rainy season.
The county government and police have launched investigations to establish the owners of the premises, the source of the animals, and the suspected market for the meat. Authorities suspect the donkey meat was being transported to Nairobi, with Palma Market among the possible destinations. Those found involved in the illegal slaughter and distribution of the meat would face the law.
Key points
- 30 donkeys were rescued from a suspected slaughterhouse in Juja, Kiambu County.
- The donkeys were found in a godown along Juja Farm Road, with knives, animal hooves, intestines, and skins also discovered.
- Authorities suspect the donkey meat was being transported to Nairobi, with investigations ongoing to establish the owners of the premises and the source of the animals.
