Wamuzi News Ke
A gruesome discovery has jolted authorities and residents in Machakos County: prosecutors and wildlife officers are investigating the unearthing of hundreds of donkey skulls and bones buried on private land near the banks of the Athi River in Kamulu, signaling what appears to be an illegal donkey slaughterhouse operation.
Local community members alerted law enforcement after noticing unusual excavation and odor emanating near a secluded homestead. When police and veterinary officers inspected the site, they found charred remains, fresh cuts, and a mass of skeletal remains—some still bearing tissue.
The scale of the find has sparked immediate outrage and demands for accountability.
Alleged Operation with Shocking ScaleAccording to initial field reports, the remains were scattered over a broad area around a private dwelling. Some bones appeared freshly butchered, while others were older and partially decomposed, suggesting the operation had run for an extended period.
The site also held shallow pits and makeshift processing areas.Witnesses say the property owner often received deliveries at odd hours and kept unusual security at the gate. Villagers had long whispered of strange activity but feared retaliation if they spoke out.
In recent days, the stench and waste runoff reportedly attracted flies and scavengers, fueling suspicion.Veterinary officers have confirmed that the bones appear to be those of donkeys—an especially alarming detail given that Kenya has, at various times, restricted or banned commercial donkey slaughter owing to concerns about donkey theft and biodiversity decline.
Legal Red Flags and Possible ChargesIf confirmed, the operation would violate multiple statutes, including the Animal Welfare Act, Wildlife Conservation laws, and possibly public health regulations concerning meat handling and disease control.
Authorities now face several urgent tasks:Forensic analysis to establish cause of death, age of remains, and whether the slaughtering was lawful Tracing the supply chain to identify where donkeys were sourced and whether theft was involvedIdentifying all persons with access to the site, including workers, transporters, and financiers. Evaluating environmental damage to soil, watercourses, and health risks to surrounding communities.
Prosecutors have vowed swift action, indicating that those responsible could face severe penalties, including heavy fines and imprisonment.
Community Fears, Public Health, and Theft Concerns.
Local residents expressed shock and disgust. Many fear contamination of water sources and the spread of zoonotic diseases. Some livestock owners believe the slaughterhouse may tie into a wider ring of donkey theft and illegal skin export operations—a trade often driven by foreign demand for donkey skins and byproducts.
Animal welfare groups have condemned the discovery. They note that such clandestine activities gradually decimate donkey populations—animals essential to rural livelihoods, transport, and smallholder farming.
