Six arrested, 24 heads of cattle recovered

Six people have been arrested over livestock theft in Kiminini sub-county, Trans Nzoia County.

The suspects were ambushed by police and the public at a forest at Babaton as they loaded 24 cattle into a truck.

Five accomplices escaped during the Saturday incident.

“The arrest and recovery of the animals is a breakthrough. We have witnessed stock theft in the past few months. The animals were to be transported to an unspecified town,” said Nabiswa assistant chief Sammy Khaemba.

Kiminini OCS Suleiman Abdullah said detectives had been following leads on the stock theft in the area.

“Criminal investigation officers are probing the incident to establish the origin of the animals. There has been rampant theft of livestock in the area,” said Mr Abdullah.

Henry Mukhanji, the presiding clerk of Friends Church of Kenya, is among the victims of the stock theft.

He said he had lost nine cows in five attacks at his home in Matunda.

“The thefts have left many families hopeless. We want police to ensure those behind the racket are brought to book,” Mukhanji told The Standard.

Two weeks ago, four people were arrested over livestock theft in Kiminini.

The public stormed one of the suspects’ home at Nabiswa and recovered three cows suspected to have been stolen.

The suspects, a woman and her son, were rescued by police from a mob that wanted to lynch them.

Officers from Kiminini rushed to the woman’s home and restrained the mob.

Local OCPD Francis Tumbo warned livestock traders against engaging in dirty deals.

“Some dishonest business people are on our radar... We’ll ensure perpetrators are arrested,” he warned.