Kenya's first donkey slaughterhouse

In Kenya’s Rift Valley area a three million US dollar slaughterhouse has been opened.

However, this is no ordinary slaughterhouse, the abattoir is for donkeys.

The Chemongoch abattoir has a capacity to slaughter about 100 donkeys a day with the meat expected to be exported to China where it is said to be in high demand.

The multi million venture seeks to target the export market. Nevertheless, the slaughterhouse is yet to export its first consignment.

“The way we do them is no different that of the cattle. We as public health officers have to inspect them when they arrive and are alive to ascertain they do not have any disease, we usher them in and then the killing starts every morning,” said Jonathan Tanui a health officer.

Mainly referred to as the beast of burden, the donkey is know deemed to be more valuable and expectations are high that both herders and the factory will benefit widely.

“Services are being handled in each and every process which conforms to the food hygiene regulations in terms of cleanliness and safety,” said Noah Chepchile, production manager at the abattoir.

The slaughterhouse is the first of its kind in East and Central Africa. Furthermore, it has created jobs in the area.