Thirty donkeys have been rescued from a godown in Juja, Kiambu County, where authorities suspect the animals were being slaughtered and their meat supplied to unsuspecting consumers.

The animals, including two young donkeys, were found at the premises along Juja Farm Road during an operation led by Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Environment David Kuria in collaboration with police officers from Juja Police Station.

The discovery followed complaints by residents over the dumping of donkey and pig carcasses in residential areas of Juja, raising concerns that the remains could be linked to an organised slaughter operation.

A week ago, residents of Tola Estate blocked the Ndarugu-Mang’u road with rotting animal carcasses in protest, saying they had endured a foul smell and feared the remains posed a serious public health risk.

The residents said the carcasses had been dumped in an area that was not designated as a dumpsite and accused authorities of failing to act despite repeated complaints.

During Wednesday’s operation, officers gained access to the godown and found 30 live donkeys two young ones, as well as knives, animal hooves, intestines and skins, which authorities said pointed to an active slaughter operation.

Juja Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Ndege said preliminary investigations indicated that the slaughtering was allegedly carried out at night, with the operators taking advantage of the premises being closed during the day.

He said the discovery could explain the source of some of the carcasses that had been dumped along roads and in residential areas in Juja.

CEC Kuria described the operation as a major breakthrough, saying the nature of the premises and the number of animals involved pointed to an organised operation rather than an isolated incident.

He appealed to traders and members of the public dealing in meat to exercise caution and establish the source of meat before buying or selling it.

Kuria said some of the donkeys found at the premises appeared to be sick, raising concerns over the potential health risks posed by meat from diseased animals.

The CEC said authorities were also investigating where the animals originated, noting that some appeared to have been transported from outside the region.

Residents had earlier raised similar concerns, with Stanley Mwangi saying they were shocked that animal remains were being dumped in a residential area.

He said the carcasses had attracted hyenas, stray dogs and crows, worsening the health and sanitation concerns.