Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a hunt for three suspects following the discovery of over seven freshly slaughtered donkey carcasses meant for sale in local butcheries.
According to the DCI, the carcasses were found at a thicket in Kahiti village, located within the Gatune sub-location of Kiambu County.
Acting on a tip, officers from the Nachu Police Post conducted a surprise operation at midnight at the site of the illegal slaughter.
The police arrived just in time to interrupt the nefarious activity. A distressing scene greeted them, with over seven slaughtered donkeys strewn across the ground.
“Police have recovered freshly slaughtered donkey carcasses that were being prepared for local consumption at a thicket in Kiambu County.
“The recovery followed a midnight raid at the scene of the slaughter in the proverbial Kiahiti village in Gatune sub-location, where over 7 carcasses were found sprawled on the ground,” DCI said in a statement.
According to DCI, cunning meat vendors had been disguising donkey meat as beef and selling it in various city butcheries and meat joints. The timely intervention of the officers thwarted this deceitful scheme and protected unsuspecting consumers.
POLICE SEIZE DONKEY CARCASSES MEANT FOR SALE TO CITY RESIDENTS
Police have recovered freshly slaughtered donkey carcasses that were being prepared for local consumption, at a thicket in Kiambu County.
The recovery followed a midnight raid at the scene of the slaughter in the… pic.twitter.com/5z4OOyr0sT
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) August 15, 2023
Prior to the discovery, local residents had expressed concerns about hearing distressed donkeys making unsettling noises during the late hours, signalling the unfortunate fate that awaited them.
A subsequent police investigation revealed an alarming level of exploitation. The criminals were found extracting boneless meat from the slaughtered animals’ bodies.
This illicitly obtained meat was then deceptively sold to unsuspecting city consumers, passed off as premium cuts like beef fillet and other boneless selections.
The Police divulged that the unscrupulous traders didn’t spare any part of the animal. In addition to the meat, they also packaged donkey intestines, kidneys, and other internal organs.
These repackaged parts were then sold to establishments known for serving popular roadside delicacies such as Mutura, Supu, and Matumbo.
“No flesh is left to waste as the traders also package the donkey intestines, kidneys and other internal organs which are sold to outlets dealing in popular roadside delicacies, Mutura, Supu and Matumbo,” DCI said.
“City residents in populous estates including expectant mothers throng these outlets for a taste of the delicacy that is surprisingly rare to find and is sold at a reasonably low price,” DCI added.
