Sh300m donkey abattoir fails to achieve target

When the multi-million Goldox Donkey Slaughterhouse started operations at Chemogoch in Mogotio, Baringo County, it was said to be a new window for herders to earn more from their animals.

Expectations were high that both herders and the factory would be winners in a venture targeting mainly the export market.

But the only abattoir for donkeys in Kenya, and perhaps in the region, is largely underutilised — with investors asking farmers to supply more animals to enable the slaughterhouse achieve its goal of operating round the clock.

Two months after the Sh300 million slaughterhouse roared to life, it is yet to export its first consignment. This is blamed on low supply of animals for slaughter.

The facility, which received the nod from Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett on April 1 this year, is targeting China, Russia and other Far East countries where donkey products are in high demand.

To meet its threshold of exporting 100–200 tonnes of the product, the facility must slaughter at least 100 donkeys a day.

“Since we started operations, we have managed to slaughter only about 1,900 donkeys. This is not enough to meet our export target of between 100-200 tonnes,” said company spokesperson Shadrack Mutai.

Mr Mutai, who is also the procurement officer, said on average the company slaughters 60-80 donkeys a day, which is below the 100 capacity.

To bridge the shortfall and attain the export target, Mr Mutai said they were casting their net wider — across the borders — and were now sourcing animals from Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

“Our local source of donkeys is Baringo, Narok, Kajiado, Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu, Kiambu and Nakuru, but what we are getting from these counties is not enough to sustain our operations. That is why we’re looking across the borders,” he said.

“My appeal to local farmers, particularly in Baringo, is to keep more donkeys because they have a ready market that would earn them good income,” said Mr Mutai.

REAR DONKEYS
Residents of Mogotio are already reaping the benefits of the facility as it has employed more than 200 people and created new revenue streams for businessmen in the region that is known for tasty beef and goat meat.

Mr Mutai said the prices of donkeys depend on their weight, adding that an animal weighing between 150-160 kilogrammes would fetch a farmer between Sh8,500 and Sh9,000.

“The beauty of this business is that the payment is instant as we want to encourage more farmers to join in,” he added.

With an average 2,000 animals that have so far been slaughtered, the company owned by Chinese investor Lu Donglin has paid out nearly Sh20 million in two months.

The senior chief of Lembus, Mogotio, Mr Julius Kangongo, said since the abattoir started operations, traders from Limuru who used to troop to the area to buy donkeys at throw-away prices of about Sh300 are now scarce.

“With the prices offered by the slaughterhouse, this is a golden opportunity for local farmers to keep more donkeys. I urge them to discard the cultural belief that donkeys are not meant for slaughtering and human consumption to reap maximum benefits,” said Mr Kangongo.

A veterinary expert in charge of the slaughterhouse, Dr Jonathan Tanui, said no case of tetanus has so far been detected in the animals supplied.

He said each animal brought to the facility is examined and, in case any disease is detected, it is condemned and slaughtered.

“These products are meant for export. It is paramount to make sure they are free from any disease. So far, three animals have been condemned after they were found to be sick,” said Dr Tanui.

The sick animals were buried in a pit and incarcerated with acid.