Alarm Over Increase in Sale of Donkey, Dog Meat

Embu County health officials have raised an alarm over an increase in the sale of donkey and dog meat, warning residents of consuming uninspected meat.
Speaking during a public forum on Wednesday, September 10, Embu County Executive (CEC) Member for Health, Jamal Runyenje, claimed that the unlawful sale of this meat in the market hasresulted in an increase in diseases in the county.
Runyenje said that the county security agencies and officers from his department will embark on an intensive crackdown targeting such traders, apprehend them, and take immediate legal action against them.
“As the Minister of Health here, I will not allow anyone to spread diseases under my watch. You will go to jail so that everyone may be healthy and at peace. I don’t tolerate people breaking the law. You either follow the law or follow the law,” He said.
The officials further said that the county government will collaborate with veterinary practitioners to ensure that meat inspections in these businesses are conducted daily.
However, on their part, Embu businesspeople urged the county government to ensure that it holds engagements with them before it gives out any directive affecting the sale of meat in the county.
“The only problem we have is that the county government is the government not communicating with us, because, for instance, there was a directive it gave that animals should not be slaughtered on Sunday; some decisions like that should be made after we also give our views,” one resident stated.
Earlier this year, in February, security agencies in the county intercepted a vehicle transporting donkey meat along the Kiritiri-Embu Highway.
In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed thatthey managed to seize approximately 1,500 kilogramsof donkey meat along with 15 donkey hides and the animals’ reproductive organs.
During the operation, the detectives apprehended three suspects, including the driver, who were also to help in investigations to trace the source of the illicit trade.
Following the incident, residents were warned against buying uninspected meat to prevent the consumption of products potentially unfit for humans.
“We are stepping up monitoring efforts to ensure uninspected meat is removed from the market to protect the public from potential health risks,” Embu West Sub-County Public Health Officer John Njagi said.