Recent research by the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) reveals that donkey theft in Kenya has transformed from isolated incidents into an organised criminal enterprise. Syndicates now conduct night raids targeting free-grazing donkeys, primarily in rural and peri-urban areas, to meet growing demand for donkey skins, meat, and body parts.

Unlike previous practices involving unauthorised slaughterhouses, criminals now use mobile and remote 'bush slaughter' sites to avoid detection by veterinary and public health officials. Stolen donkeys are transported in small groups through covert routes rather than trucks to evade security checkpoints.

Key Findings from the NCRC Study

  • The study focused on nine counties with high incidences of donkey theft and illegal trade: Machakos, Kajiado, Mombasa, Embu, Kitui, Nakuru, Narok, Turkana, and Kiambu.
  • Incidents are most severe in Mwingi East, Mwingi Central, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado.
  • Criminal groups respond to orders from restaurants, institutions, and urban markets, transporting meat covertly using motorcycles and small vehicles to markets such as Burma and Ndunyu in Nairobi.
  • Illegal processing often bypasses veterinary inspections, posing serious public health risks including exposure to diseases like anthrax.
  • There is a growing niche market for donkey bones and specific body parts used in cultural rituals and industrial applications.
  • International demand, particularly for gelatin used in traditional Chinese medicine (ejiao), drives cross-border smuggling of donkey skins.
  • Male donkeys are specifically targeted due to beliefs about their body parts as aphrodisiacs, increasing theft incentives.
  • Criminal networks operate with a cartel-like structure, sometimes protected by corrupt security personnel.

Impact on Communities and Animal Welfare

The decline in donkey populations—from 1.8 million in 2009 to 1.1 million in 2019—has severely affected small-scale farmers, especially women and vulnerable groups who rely on donkeys for transport and livelihood. The loss of donkeys increases physical labor burdens, contributes to child labor, and disrupts education.

Unsanitary slaughter conditions threaten public health, while improper carcass disposal pollutes the environment. The clandestine nature of the crime also causes significant animal suffering and undermines welfare standards.

Recommendations to Combat Illegal Trade

  • Strengthen enforcement and harmonise monitoring among veterinary services, law enforcement, and community leaders.
  • Enhance border controls and regional cooperation to disrupt cross-border trafficking.
  • Launch public awareness campaigns about the risks and impacts of illegal donkey trade.
  • Declare donkeys a threatened species and enforce the African Union moratorium on donkey slaughter for skins.
  • Revoke licences for illegal slaughter operations and tighten regulatory oversight.
  • Enact comprehensive legislation to protect donkeys, regulate the trade, and impose penalties for violations.

The NCRC study underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard Kenya’s donkey population, protect public health, and dismantle organised criminal networks profiting from this illicit trade.