A family in Machakos Town has been left reeling in shock and agony after their beloved donkey went berserk and attacked them.

During the incident, the donkey is said to have attacked Selina Ndinda on Friday, April 25, before turning on her 38-year-old son three days later.

Consequently, Ndinda was bitten both her hands while the son sustained a fractured leg. The two have since been hospitalised at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.

Stopping a fight

On the fateful day, Ndinda says the domesticated animal was fighting with a neighbour’s donkey. She saw the need to go and stop the fight. Unfortunately, she slipped and fell, and that is when the donkey attacked her.

“I was trying to separate the donkey from fighting with the neighbour’s donkey, and in the process, it bit me in the arm, and I fell in the mud. Luckily, one of the neighbours rushed and drove it away,” Ndinda said. 

Once bitten twice shy. Ndinda now says she is afraid of the donkey, indicating the desire to disown it. She is even contemplating starving the donkey to death.

The family is now grappling with raising KSh5,000 to buy and anti-rabies drug, as they are lacking at the Machakos Level 5 Hospital.

‘It is not uncommon’

Eye witnesses say that a donkey biting a human being is a normal occurrence, especially when the animal is in mating season.

According to David Musembi, when a donkey is not tasked with various chores it develops violent characters.

However, Kathekakai Location Chief Daniel Maweu has a different opinion. The local administrator says it is not normal for a donkey to bite a human being.

“It’s not common to find such cases. So, it’s advisable to seek medical services at a public general hospital to get treatment. We have contacted agricultural officers who will transfer the donkey to another location,” he stated. 

Machakos County Veterinary officers arrived at the area and sensitized the locals on the steps to take in case of another similar incident.