Residents of Thiba North Village in Mwea West Sub-County, Kirinyaga County were left in shock on Wednesday morning when they stumbled upon the gruesome aftermath of what appeared to be a slaughtering operation gone wrong. The discovery involved the carcasses of four stolen donkeys dumped near Thiba Catholic Church. The incident, which has shocked the local community, underscores the rising concern over donkey theft and the impact it has on the livelihoods of many residents.
The Discovery: The morning began like any other for the villagers of Thiba North as they went about their daily routines. However, the peace was shattered when a few alert residents noticed a suspicious-looking vehicle near the Thiba Catholic Church grounds. Upon investigation, they found unknown individuals in the act of slaughtering donkeys. The animals, reported missing just days earlier, had apparently been targeted for their meat. The suspects, when alerted by the locals, fled the scene, abandoning the carcasses.
Local Response and Alarm: The discovery sent shockwaves through the community, prompting residents to raise the alarm. According to Bernard Maina, one of the affected residents, his donkey was among the four found slaughtered. “When villagers raised an alarm, the gang of young men escaped and left the meat they had slaughtered. My donkey was among the four,” Maina told Citizen Digital. The residents quickly alerted local authorities who arrived at the scene to process the evidence. The distress was palpable as neighbors gathered to watch the shocking scene unfold.
The Rising Trend of Donkey Theft: The incident in Kirinyaga is not an isolated case. According to Mary Wambui Muthee, a county official leading the fight against animal abuse in Kirinyaga, the region has seen a surge in donkey thefts over recent months. “Several youths in Mwea who have been depending on the donkeys to transport rice and fetch water using donkeys have been left jobless over the increase of donkey theft,” she lamented. This theft not only disrupts the livelihoods of those dependent on these animals but also threatens the broader community as unsuspecting locals may unknowingly consume contaminated meat from stolen donkeys.
Impact on the Community: The thefts have left many residents in Mwea West Sub-County struggling. Donkeys are crucial to daily life, particularly for those who rely on them for transporting goods and fetching water in an area where modern infrastructure is limited. The loss of these animals has not only affected personal livelihoods but has also led to an increase in criminal activities in the region. “This is not the first incident,” said a resident who declined to be named, referring to a similar case the previous day when two donkeys were stolen and slaughtered in Ngurubani town before the suspects made a quick escape with the meat in a Probox vehicle.
Government and Community Action: In response to these rising incidents, local authorities have intensified efforts to curb donkey thefts. The Kirinyaga County government, led by Governor Anne Waiguru, has pledged to work closely with the community to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these animals. The veterinary officers who arrived at the scene on Wednesday set the carcasses on fire to prevent the spread of disease and contamination. Their efforts also involved collecting evidence that could help trace the suspects.
Mary Wambui Muthee emphasized the need for more proactive measures to prevent such incidents. “We need to engage the youth in productive activities to keep them away from such criminal activities,” she said, highlighting the importance of job creation and economic opportunities in the region. The county government is working on establishing vocational training programs aimed at providing alternative employment for these youths.
The Broader Implications: The rise in donkey theft is not just a Kirinyaga issue but a reflection of broader economic challenges in Kenya. As the country continues to grapple with unemployment and economic hardship, many young people are turning to crime as a means of survival. Donkeys, often seen as easy targets due to their value in the agricultural sector, have become a common target for theft. This incident in Kirinyaga serves as a stark reminder of the need for concerted efforts from the government, the community, and civil society to address the root causes of crime and to protect the vulnerable members of society.
