Makindu authorities have dismantled a donkey slaughter syndicate that was moments away from sending illegal meat to Nairobi, arresting two people of interest.

In a statement on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the operation followed a tip-off that led a multi-agency team, including DCI detectives, Kenya Police Service officers and NGAO administrators, to a secluded homestead being used as a makeshift abattoir.

At the site, officers found twenty donkeys already slaughtered, with carcasses scattered across the ground.

“In an intelligence-led operation, law enforcement officers from Makindu have dismantled a clandestine donkey slaughter syndicate that was moments away from feeding unsuspecting city dwellers “illegal steak”, arresting a couple that is behind the act in the process,” the statement reads.

“Acting on a tip-off that was as sharp as a butcher’s knife, the team of officers descended upon a group of unscrupulous merchants that had turned a secluded homestead into a makeshift abattoir, where donkeys were being butchered under the cover of darkness, destined for Kamboo area in Nairobi.”

“Responding swiftly, the multi-agency team comprising DCI detectives, Kenya Police Service Officers (KPS) and NGAO administrators descended upon the scene.”

Two people of interest were detained at the scene. While some accomplices fled into nearby bushes, authorities acted quickly to prevent the illicit meat from being transported to Nairobi.

Crime Scene Investigation experts bagged and tagged evidence, while Sub-County Veterinary and Public Health officers ensured the meat would not enter the food chain.

“The Sub-County Veterinary and Public Health Officers are on-site to ensure the contaminated meat doesn’t find its way into the food chain.”

Pattern of illegal meat

The Makindu bust comes just months after a similar case in Kajiado West, where more than 20 people escaped after slaughtering 34 donkeys in Ereteti village. Authorities recovered vehicles and packed donkey meat at the scene, raising concerns about the growing trend of illegal donkey meat being supplied to Nairobi. Local chiefs and public health officials warned residents to only consume certified meat, while animal rights groups condemned the trade.

The DCI continues to urge the public to report illegal meat operations through the #FichuaKwaDCI initiative. Tips can be shared anonymously via the toll-free line or WhatsApp.

Authorities warned that illegal meat trading poses serious risks to both consumers and animals. Residents in Nairobi and surrounding areas are advised to verify the source of meat before purchasing it.

The two remain in custody as investigations continue, with officials indicating that further arrests could follow as the probe into the syndicate progresses.