Recovered donkeys at the slaughterhouse within Athi River, Machakos county on December 17, 2025.
Three people have been arrested after police uncovered an illegal donkey slaughterhouse and recovered 100 donkeys in Athi River, Machakos County.
The trio were apprehended in a police operation at Lower Myland village in the Drumville area within Athi River Sub-county on Tuesday evening.
Police, in a report seen by The Star, said the incident occurred at about 8.00pm.
The suspects include two men and a woman.
The matter was reported at Muungano Police Station, which falls under the Athi River East Sub-county Command, as a case of recovery of stolen livestock shortly after the arrests and recoveries were made.
“At around 8.00pm in the Drumville area within Athi River, Machakos County, members of the public led police to an illegal slaughterhouse where 100 donkeys meant for slaughter were recovered and three suspects arrested,” a police report read.
Police said donkey skins and hooves were also recovered at the scene.
The suspects were detained at Muungano Police Station as investigations into the incident continue.
The arrests and recovery come amid reports of livestock theft in Machakos and neighbouring regions.
Donkeys have been reported as frequent targets, with some stolen animals later recovered under investigation.
In September, 20 donkeys were recovered after being abandoned in the Ngelani–Katani Road area in Athi River Sub-county. The animals were positively identified by their owner and returned.
In December 2023, detectives in Embu raided a homestead in Kajekeru village, where they found 20 freshly slaughtered donkey carcasses, a vehicle and slaughter tools.
Three suspects were arrested and charged, while one carcass was recovered intact.
In May 2025, authorities in Narok Central Sub-county arrested two people illegally herding 69 donkeys without permits.
The animals were suspected to have been stolen from the Ololopil area.
The Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) continues to support efforts to safeguard donkeys, providing rescued animals with care, vaccinations and new homes.
In November 2024, the organisation rescued 203 donkeys in two separate operations, providing them with food, vaccinations and new homes.
In another case in May 2024, police in Kirinyaga arrested suspected donkey thieves who admitted to slaughtering animals and selling the meat in Nairobi.
The suspects were found with 25 skinned donkey heads, and their vehicle was later set ablaze by an angry mob.
Police have in previous years recovered donkeys and equipment in unrelated incidents under investigation, highlighting ongoing concerns about livestock theft.
Authorities urge members of the public to report any suspicious activity related to livestock theft or illegal trade to help protect the animals and support law enforcement efforts.
