This archive report was first published on 17 August 2021.
Relief has come to residents of Murang'a county after police arrested four suspects believed to be behind the theft of cattle worth Ksh150,000.
According to Kandara OCPD Catherine Lingera, the suspects were intercepted by police officers in the evening of Monday, August 16, after a tip-off from the public.
The suspects were found in a matatu from Dandora in Nairobi, which police believe is used to ferry the stolen livestock.
Lingera said the suspects have been sneaking into people's homes at night and stealing cattle, a trend that has been ongoing for quite some time.
"We acted on a tip-off from members of the public and laid a trap for the thieves," Lingera said.
The police are interrogating the suspects to know where they take the cows after stealing them, pointing out that the theft appears to be a well-coordinated crime.
Residents whose cows were stolen said they incurred huge losses, relying on the livestock for their livelihood.
"I had two dairy cows which were stolen last week, each going for Ksh150,000, and I am not able to buy another one right now," John Migwi, one of the residents said.
Murang'a County Commissioner Fredrick Ndunga admitted that cattle rustling has thrived in the area but said security agents are working to curb the practice.
