BY ADMIN
Construction of a donkey abattoir at Kithyoko, in Machakos
along Thika-Mwingi highway has elicited mixed reactions among residents, with
concerns being raised after a similar slaughter house in Mongotio was ordered
to close due to the health risks it posed to the locals.
VUHAI Machakos Traders Company, a Chinese company is said to
have purchased a piece of land at Mwatungo in Kithyoko along the Garissa-Mwingi
highway, but initially residents were never informed about the type of business
the company would venture in.
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| DONKEYS FERRYING WATER FROM A RIVER AT MWINGI |
It’s until recently that it came to the attention of the
residents that the company would venture in slaughtering of donkeys. This triggered
public uproar among locals demanding proper explanation over what the company
would do with the meat from the slaughtered donkeys, amid fears that it may
find its way into the local butcheries and the residents might unknowingly
consume donkey meat.
During a crisis meeting which was held at Kithyoko Market on
Friday to discuss the matter, one of VUHAI Company Chief Executive officers Jed
Okina urged the locals not to develop cold feet on the company but instead
embrace it, as all its products will be purely made for export to other
countries like China where donkey meet is consumed.
Okina said that having a donkey abattoir in the area will be
of immense benefit to the locals, as it would create jobs as well as generate
income to the county government in terms of taxes.
“Having this donkey slaughter house in year area will have a
lot of advantages to the residents, we are planning to acquire most of our work
force locally,” Said Mr. Okina
The CEO promised locals 80% of the jobs which the company
will create.
He said that proper environmental impact assessment had been
done and NEMA has already issued a certificate authorizing construction of the
company.
The company will have the capacity of slaughtering about 80
donkeys per day.
According to MP Masinga Constituency Joshua Mbithi Mwalyo, area
residents have a lot concerns especially on the method the company would use to
manage its waste and the smell to ensure that these don’t have negative impacts
to the environment and the residents.
“At first the locals were totally opposed to the
establishment of the slaughter house in our area, but upon further deliberation
of the matter they have agreed ,” Said The MP
Mwalyo said that after a long discussion with the company,
the residents have agreed to allow construction of the abattoir, though its
operations must be closely monitored to ensure that all happens without posing
any risk to the people in his constituency.
Area member of County assembly Justus Kiteng’u said that he
was forced to call for the crisis meeting following public outcry that a
dangerous company was being constructed in their locality without their
consent.
“I had called for this meeting following concerns by public
that proper procedures were not being followed during the establishment of the
abattoir , this is why I invited all stakeholders to deliberate on the matter,”
Said Kiteng’u.
According Kiteng’u, the residents had many concerns on the
establishment of such a plant in their area, in fear that they might be made to
eat the kind of meat they abhor and their animals might be stolen and sold to
the company.
The MCA said that the county government of Machakos was in
full of support of the company, provided it strictly adheres to the set
standards and safety measures.
End.
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
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