Donkey meat could be healthy for human consumption, try it

Several myths have always surrounded red meat. These have been issues of diseases and nutritional values. In several instances for decades, cases of donkey slaughtered in Naivasha and Muranga towns have been alarming.

Recently, a group of baffled residents took to the streets vehemently protesting after they came across donkey hooves and heads with meat missing; reportedly six had been slaughtered after roaming kids were paid Sh200 to send the donkeys to a nearby bush where the culprits were readily awaiting to pounce with knives.

One may argue that untold greed has permeated into the society through endless theft and sale of illegal meat, but lets face it despite the usual tasks of carrying and ferrying wares to markets and vending water using the animal, the authorities are overwhelmed and the unsuspecting mwananchi at some point is being fed donkey meat at the comfort of living room.  Despite Kongoni police boss Paul Korir and cabinet ministers issuing stern warnings against the culprits and even banning night meat transportation, nothing seems to have deterred this exercise, which has left donkey owners lamenting.

It’s amazing Nairobi has always been suspected to be the buyers of the final product for many years even with the existence of all these slaughter houses, Burma and Dagoretti markets.  With a special committee having been formed and in place to investigate on donkey slaughtering sagas, the meat is still reported to be on sale to unsuspecting consumers visiting favourite entertainment joints or in the residential estates.

A donkey being an herbivorous animal, mostly feeds on grass and despite the nature of its work, it’s regarded as normal meat equated to goat, cow and even sheep. It’s just but an attitude that’s enshrined in humanity as a beast of burden. On the other hand donkey meat has been gazetted as fit for human consumption and even the health officials can attest to that.

 Back in the western region of the country, the bulls are used to do strenuous farm duties just the same way the donkeys are used. Finally they are slaughtered for meat. Elephants, hippos, and rhinos have been providing delicious meat. Even though some animals do not feature extensively in the human food chain, food nutritionists have not at any point overruled eating a donkey delicacy.

 The Chinese have been associated with eating weird delicacies but this has not impeded them from being one of the most developed countries.

Coincidentally Maasais consummate a lot of Red meat in their diet and taken as a staple food, never will anyone hear any of them having gout or meat related diseases.

Chris Acwenda, Nairobi