Police arrest rustlers, recover stolen cattle

By NICK OLUOCH

Migori,Kenya:Four suspected cattle rustlers were arrested and eleven herds of cattle recovered as police stepped up efforts to curb the vice in Kuria area, Migori County.

The animals were recovered at Kitabweke area in Kuria West district and the animals are believed to have been stolen from Suna Magoto area.

Migori OCPD Alfred Makoma said they tracked the animals with the help of the owners to the village in yesterday.

“We are still holding the suspects at the Migori Police station,” Mr Makoma said adding that the suspects will be arraigned in court.

The stolen cows valued at Sh256,000 belong to Jackson Ndiege who helped police in identifying his animals.

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The incident comes barely a week after police from Migori arrested four suspects who helped the police trace six stolen cattle from Ngege village in Migori town. The animals were found in Ndhiwa area of Homa Bay County.

track down

And in Kuria, police are still holding 16 livestock, part of the 29 herds, which were recovered from Trans Mara district.

Kuria East OCPD Gladys Ogonda said the animals were recovered after police managed to track down the rustlers in Trans Mara where they had crossed with the cattle.

“We recovered 13 in Mashangwa village and the rest from Lolgorian. They are believed to have been stolen earlier this year,” Ms Ogonda said.

She said the rustlers tried to fight back by engaging the police in a gunfight but were overpowered and managed to escape into the nearby thicket, leaving behind the cattle.

After the recovery, a meeting was held where elders from the clans living in the area helped in identifying some animals. They were returned to the owners while the rest are still being held at the Anti-Stock Theft Police Unit in the area.