Donkey skin ruling a 'massive blow' for Kenya's smallholder farmers

The overturning of a ban on donkey slaughter in Kenya is a “massive blow” for smallholder farmers, advocates say.

Demand for the animals’ skin in China has led to rampant donkey theft in Kenya — with some thieves leaving behind only bare carcasses after raids on smallholder farms.

In February 2020, Kenyan farmers were given much-needed relief when the government banned the killing of donkeys for their skin. But last week, that ban was lifted following a challenge in court from a slaughterhouse.

“This is a massive blow for donkeys, animal welfare, and especially for the hardworking people who rely on donkeys to earn a living and provide for their families. This trade has had a horrific impact on them, with donkeys being stolen and sold to these slaughterhouses,” said Raphael Kinoti, regional director for animal charity Brooke’s East Africa program.

Why it matters: An estimated 10 million people in East Africa rely on donkeys to support their livelihoods, according to Brooke. That includes smallholder farmers who can’t afford mechanized equipment and who use donkeys for heavy lifting to cultivate land, transport hay and silage, and haul water and firewood. Experts say donkey theft has had a huge impact on livelihoods. Given the animals’ use in tasks such as collecting water and carrying goods from the market, some are concerned about the increased burden on women as well.

What’s the backstory? Kenya has become a center of the donkey slaughter trade, with their skins used for producing “ejiao” — a traditional Chinese medicine intended to prevent the effects of aging and increase libido. China doesn’t have enough donkeys to meet demand, and breeding large numbers is difficult.

When Kenya’s donkey abattoirs were active, they slaughtered an estimated 1,000 per day. Some of those animals were stolen. Over 4,000 donkeys were reported stolen in Kenya between 2016 and 2018, according to the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization, but the issue is likely underreported. Farmers have also said they were coerced into selling their donkeys.

Donkey owners in some areas are protesting the court decision.