PUNDA MEAT- OH

The idea of taking donkey meat may cause some faces to frown in disbelief. However if the events of the recent past are anything to go by then there is a better reason why the animal should be kept in plenty in the country.

A chinese shoping for donkey meat

 

This is for no other reason but because Kenya will soon be opening its first licensed donkey slaughter house- an abattoir that is expected to provide an economic boom to a lakeside village of Maraigushu in Naivasha, just northwest of Nairobi, and feed the growing demand of Chinese consumers who feast on the delicacy.

Beast of burden, an ass or commonly donkey, its ability to carry heavy loads- realized by our forefathers was the reason why it is man’s best friend. However things took a turn in 1999 when slaughtering and selling donkey meat was legalized in the country. Since then Kenyans have been seeking for ways on how they can get the most out of the Equus africanus asinus. Among them is John kariuki an entrepreneur.

According to John kariuki, the proprietor of the slaughter house, the completion of the facility will see over 30 people employed and with a 2 million donkeys population in the country, satisfying a ready market in china will bring good revenue.

So common like ken wa maria’s hit song fundamenthos will be punda meat-oh, now that a Ksh.15 million investment is in place. 

Do not salivate as yet as there are battles to be fought before you can get a bite of punda meat-oh. So lovers of the bottle stick to nyama choma (goat and beef) na moja ya baridi for now.

To some the project is bad news, they don’t see benefits the project brings and in return they are giving it a jackass kick.

According to Joseph Thendu a donkey owner, the initiative will increase illegal donkey slaughter which the government has failed to curb. He adds that 400 donkeys have been illegally slaughtered since December 2013.

In the same sentiments, Naivasha Mp John Kihangi has condemned the initiative, saying the slaughter house will contribute to a rise in theft of donkeys. He says that the proprietor should have looked for other ways to invest his money.

So as you make your order at your favorite joint, Chin-Chong in china is and will soon be tearing some Kenyan punda meat. Doesn’t punda choma!  Just sound fresh? Well you are in a creative country, where people can make money from anything. So how sure are you about the meat you take? Are you certain it’s no punda meat-oh?