Coffee worth millions stolen in factory raid

By BONIFACE GIKANDI

Armed thugs raided a factory in Murang’a and stole coffee worth millions of shillings.

The gang also injured two security guards during the incident at Irembu Coffee Factory.

In the past week, two factories have fallen victim of the raids raising concerns among farmers.

More than 54 bags of coffee have been stolen in less than a week after the gang broke in Nguthuru and Irembu coffee factories located in Kandara and Murang’a South districts.And on Wednesday, 100 bags were stolen at Lisula factory in Kiambu County.

At Irembu Factory, 30 bags were stolen while at Nguthuru the gang made away with 24 bags.

In the Irembu incident, the gang struck after midnight and packed the produce in the bags from the drying tables. The guards claim they were gagged by the gangsters who covered their mouths masking tapes.

 In Kandara District, an attempt to break into Naaro Coffee Factory an affiliate of Muruka Cooperative Society failed but the gang injured the guards during a confrontation that attracted neighbours.

The gang was targeting hundreds of bags of coffee in the stores, which the management was planning to deliver to a miller.

Murang’a South OCPD Antony Onyango confirmed the theft of coffee and attributed it to an inside job.

Mr Onyango said two guards at Irembu factory were under investigation as there are indications they assisted in loading the bags of coffee into the truck.

The OCPD said the management of Irembu factory delayed in reporting the incident to the nearby police officers. “We suspect this is an inside job as the report was made to the police hours after the offence was committed. Late report makes it difficult for the police to catch up with criminal gangs,” he said.

Muruka Society Chairman John Mungai said the watchmen were severely injured during a failed attempt to break into the facility.

Mungai said entire coffee farming was under threat over the re emerging of coffee theft and hawking of the commodity in several parts in Kandara district.

“Members of the public played a key role as they turned in large numbers as the gang members feared for their safety as they run away,” said the society chairman.

Yesterday, leaders from coffee cooperative societies from Kandara District converged for a security meeting at Kabati market to lay out strategies to enhance security.

The leaders decried coffee hawking in Makenji and Rukira areas calling for implementation of coffee rules.