The Maasai Council of elders has raised concern over increased theft and transportation of donkeys along major highways in Narok County.

The council’s chair Kelena Ole Nchoe said the trend has led to a dwindling population of the beast of burden in the county, with many people reporting to have lost their animals in the recent past.

Ole Nchoe called on the security agents to investigate the matter and trace the stolen animals up to their final destination.

He also urged the police to find out whether the transporters have a legal license.

“It is not a wonder to see hundreds of donkeys being pushed towards the Maai Mahiu direction in the night hours.

“What makes us wonder is whether the transporters have legal permits to transport the animals or not,” he said.

Nchoe said donkeys are precious animals in every homestead as they are used for transportation and a means of earning an income.

“A donkey can transport heavy loads on rough roads where motorbikes or vehicles cannot penetrate. Women go long distances to fence water and transport goods to the market places using the donkeys. It is sad that their numbers are decreasing every day,” he said.

The Council chair asked the government to put stringent measures in place to protect the donkeys.

In addition, he called on the residents also to stop selling their donkeys to people in other counties and instead protect them passionately as they are their main source of revenue.

Silonka Ole Eille, the vice chairman of Maa council of elders said donkeys are important animals in the Maa culture, adding that they are treated as sacred animals because of their unique role in the community.

“In our culture, if you kill a donkey, you are forced to pay with a sheep and honey because the animal is treated as a sacred animal,” he said.

The elder said the economy of the Maa women in the village directly depends on the donkey, hence a reason to worry when the animals start disappearing mysteriously.

He recalled recently when his neighbour’s five donkeys were stolen and were never recovered even after reporting the incident to the police.

“The family was completely destabilized after the theft of the donkeys as they completely depended on the animals for their livelihood. This is why we call upon the government to devise ways of protecting the animals,” he said.