Residents of Embu have been cautioned against purchasing uninspected meat after police intercepted a vehicle transporting at least 1,500 kilograms of donkey meat to an undisclosed destination.
Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stopped the vehicle along the Kiritiri-Embu Highway in the early hours of the morning.
Upon inspection, they discovered the meat packed in sacks, along with 15 donkey hides and a separate package containing the animals’ reproductive organs, which appeared to be set aside for a specific market.
Three suspects, including the driver, were arrested as detectives launched investigations to trace the source of the illicit trade and identify key players behind the operation.
This latest incident comes just three months after police uncovered 20 freshly slaughtered donkey carcasses at a homestead in Runyenjes Constituency on December 22, raising concerns over the rampant illegal slaughter of donkeys in the county.
Following the seizure, residents have been urged to be extra cautious about the meat they consume and to verify its source before purchase.
Embu West Sub-County Public Health Officer John Njagi warned that the recent cases indicate a well-organized network involved in illegal donkey slaughter and emphasized the need for heightened vigilance.
“We are stepping up monitoring efforts to ensure uninspected meat is removed from the market to protect the public from potential health risks,” he said.
Veterinary surgeon Dr. Arthur Njiru echoed these concerns, warning that the consumption of unregulated meat poses serious health risks, especially in light of a recent anthrax outbreak in parts of Embu in December last year.
Authorities have assured the public that efforts to dismantle the illegal donkey meat trade are ongoing, with law enforcement agencies intensifying crackdowns to safeguard public health.
