Donkey welfare, livelihoods under threat amid booming skin trade
Environment & Climate
By
Chebet Birir
| Jul 23, 2025
Veronica and Sylvester were not only dependent on their donkeys economically, but they were also emotionally connected.
When the donkeys were stolen, Veronica was distressed to the point that she didn’t speak for months, until the animal was returned through a re-homing scheme by Brooke East Africa, an international charity that protects and improves the lives of horses.
In Kenya, donkeys are a crucial source of livelihood for approximately two million people, especially in arid and semi-arid areas.
According to data from Brooke East Africa, Kenya’s donkey population is estimated at around seven million, making it one of the countries with the highest number of donkeys in Africa.
However, studies show that the rising demand for beauty products is devastating donkey populations and is on course to endanger the species in Africa.
READ MORE
Government announces new wheat prices
Carrefour unveils 'Choose Better' drive for healthier, greener living
Safaricom to pay Sh48b dividend
Electric vs gasoline cars: Which one truly wins the road?
Initiative to unlock coastal counties' innovation potential
Kenya wins Sh300b case against railway concessionaire in London
State kicks off Sh1.45b milk coolers installation in 40 counties
SBM Bank posts Sh202m half-year profit on higher customer deposits
Kenya Pavilion welcomes millionth visitor at Osaka Expo, eyes two million
SBM Bank Kenya unveils Bancassurance subsidiary to transform insurance access
According to The Donkey Sanctuary, about six million donkeys are slaughtered every year for their skins, from which collagen is extracted for use in food or drink supplements and in beauty products such as face creams used in Chinese medicine.
In a bid to curb this, Equine Veterinary Caucus Kenya was launched on July 18, 2025. The goal of the Caucus, according to Brooke East Africa, is to coalesce veterinarians into a national equine welfare movement, strengthen veterinary capacity on equine health and welfare, and institutionalize the EVCK as a national coordination platform.
While speaking during the launch, Scott Miller, a veterinarian for over 25 years, emphasised the need to protect donkeys as they face an extinction threat.
“When you see a donkey, know that you’re seeing someone’s lifeline. Their heart. That’s why I will keep championing the ban on the trade of ejiao products. Because this isn’t just Kenya’s problem. It’s a global injustice," he said.
Dr. Scott narrated how his clients, Alex and Adeline, went five years without a donkey. Adeline said she became the 'donkey'. "She carried water, firewood, and burdens, physically and emotionally. Her health and dignity suffered."
For many families in Kenya and around the world, donkeys provide transport, agricultural work, and income through products like milk and hides.
The economic value of donkeys to rural communities is estimated to be worth millions of Kenyan shillings annually.
Unfortunately, over 60 per cent of donkeys slaughtered in Kenya are exported as skin for international markets.
Dr Mwendwa Mbaka, a veterinarian, urged his fellow doctors to recognize that animal welfare is a key part of their mandate.
“If you fail to treat an animal simply because the client lacks money, you risk losing your licence. As veterinarians, the oath we took binds us to prioritize the welfare of animals above all else”, he said.
Donkey theft and illegal slaughter are major challenges faced by many owners in Kenya, causing economic and social hardship.
Various organisations and government bodies are working to strengthen donkey welfare laws, raise awareness, and promote sustainable use.