This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
On June 15, 2020, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i
announced plans to deploy a special team to tackle rising cases of livestock theft and other serious crimes in Nyandarua County.
According to Dr. Matiang'i, the Inspector General of the National Police Service will assemble the unit from the headquarters to pursue the masterminds and perpetrators of these crimes. The team will be embedded in Nyandarua until they apprehend the last criminal.
Dr. Matiang'i made the announcement while addressing National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) in Ol Kalou. He noted that Nyandarua is one of the leading counties in dairy farming, yet farmers cannot sleep in peace due to the rising cases of livestock theft.
Dr. Matiang'i described the situation as 'systematic crime supported and funded by some individuals benefiting from the trend.' He challenged the county security team and chiefs to support the operation and step up their efforts to end the issue once and for all.
Referencing the brutal murder of a mother and her five-year-old daughter in Ol Joro Orok in April, Dr. Matiang'i reiterated the need for a localized approach to addressing the rising cases of gender-based violence in the area.
He directed chiefs to collaborate with religious leaders to reverse the trend and protect vulnerable individuals. Dr. Matiang'i also lauded Nyandarua County for its efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19, which has yet to record a single case of infection.
He opened the newly built Nyandarua West Sub County Headquarters and a Police Station in Ol Joro Orok, which he believed will provide a reassuring presence of officers and reduce crime and insecurity.
