Police recover stolen goats in Nyakach

Police officers with a section of recovered livestock in Isiolo County on January 10, 2024. [Bruno Mutunga, Standard]

Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) officers from Tol camp have recovered five goats suspected to have been stolen four days ago from the Kandaria/Kadida Nyamlori near Katito in Nyakach sub-county.

Cheptuiyet location Chief Paul Ruto said the officers recovered the livestock in a bush in Kaptinego village on Monday evening.

"We managed to recover five goats, but two others are missing, and one of the suspects fled. We are trailing him," Ruto said.

He thanked the public, Nyumba Kumi and village elders for their efforts in the recovery of the stolen animals.

The administrator urged locals to stop livestock theft, saying it was an outdated practice that has hindered development in the area.

"Let them be warned that our law enforcers will catch up with them, and I can assure them that it will not be a pleasant experience for them," he said.

Ruto revealed that last month, a cow and a calf were stolen at Magwagwa in North Mugirango, Nyamira county but the calf was later recovered tethered to a tree in Kaptinego village.

He said three suspects were arrested and arraigned in a Nyamira Law Court.

Meanwhile, relative calm had returned along the volatile Sigowet/Soin -Nyakach border.

Sigowet/Soin Sub-County Police commander Peter Nthiga champions for peaceful coexistence between the Kipsigis and Luo communities at the border.

He urged the communities to maintain peace and co-exist as citizens of one nation to ensure development and better livelihood. He called for end to cattle rustling along the volatile border.

The police commander appealed to the leaders from Kericho and Kisumu counties to work together and ensure the vice is eradicated.

He also told residents to focus their energies on education to fight poverty and ignorance, saying that cattle theft has no room in the 21st century.

"It is impressive that cases of cattle theft have drastically reduced in this area, except for a few youths who have started targeting goats we will deal with them, but we want it eradicated once and for all," said Nthiga.