A suspected cat meat seller has been handed a 3-year-jail sentence. The man was arrested and charged with selling cat meat to vendors.

The Kenyan man identified as Mr James Mukangu Kimani, was convicted by Nakuru Chief Magistrate Benard Mararo after he admitted committing the offence when he appeared in court on Monday.

According to media reports, Mr Kimani was charged with slaughtering and selling cat meat to unsuspecting customers in Nakuru town. He also faced another charge of slaughtering an animal in an undesignated place contrary to meat control regulations.

In his defence, Mr Kimani said he had been sent by someone who offered to give him good pay if he delivered the meat and skin.
He pleaded for leniency. But the court said the sentence was proportionate with the offence committed.

The carcass which was presented in court as an exhibit.

Mr Kimani was arrested after he was found skinning a cat on Sunday.

Speaking to journalists he claimed he has sold over 1,000 cats to samosa vendors and a hotel in the town since 2012.

Mr Kimani said he started the business after he “identified a gap in the market”.

However, he said his clients do not know he has been selling cat meat to them.