First donkey abattoir in Africa sparks outrage

The slaughterhouse has been granted approval in Nakaru County’s market town Naivasha and will aim to slaughter between 70-100 donkeys per day.

Proprietor John Ngonjo Kariuki told the Kenya Standard: “I have been to China where there is a high demand and market for donkey meat and this slaughterhouse will take care of that.”​

According to Kariuki, the slaughter of donkeys has been legalised by the government for some years, but the industry had been damaged by unscrupulous traders.

However, the Kenya Standard also reported that the move had sparked outrage from traders, donkey owners and religious leaders in the area.

Muslim leader Ali Mohammed told the paper donkey meat was against Islamic teachings, while Naivasha Butchery Owners’ Association chairman Douglas Ng’ang’a told the Kenya Standard: “The move will end up tarnishing the name of Naivasha town and affecting our businesses and we are totally opposed to this.”​