Four arrested in Bungoma over livestock theft

Some of the stolen cattle. [Micah Sali, Standard]

Police in Kimilili town have arrested four people who are believed to be behind a gang that has been stealing livestock in the area.

The four are believed to be stealing the animals at night from locals and schools and transporting them in a lorry to neighboring counties. 

 Police also managed to recover 12 cattle, two sheep and several goats. 

Police arrested the driver of a lorry that had the animals at Kamukuywa area along the Kitale - Webuye highway following a tip off from members of the public. 

His other accomplices who were loading the animals onto the lorry managed to escape but were trailed and arrested.

The driver led police to Mumias town in Kakamega where they arrested the other three- David Wekesa, Patrick Wanyama and Benjamin Maneno. 

 The four are said to be selling the animals to butchery operators. 

Confirming the arrest, Kimilili Sub-County Police boss Mwita Marwa said that the four are believed to be behind a syndicate of cattle rustlers who have been stealing livestock in Chwele, Kamukuywa, Kimilili and selling them in Uganda and neighboring counties.

He called upon residents to offer information that will lead to the arrest of other gang members.

Four of the animals at Kimilili Police Station have been identified by the owners. 

One of the livestock owners who identified his three cows said that they were stolen from his homestead and he had been very stressed about it. 

Wanjala said that cases of animal theft have been rampant in the area and called upon police to intensify patrols at night.