6 suspects arrested over livestock theft in Machakos

BY ERASTUS MULWA

Machakos, Kenya: Police in Matungulu are holding six key suspects believed to be part of a criminal gang that has been linked with theft of livestock within Matungulu district in Machakos County.

The suspects were arrested after allegedly stealing a cow from a local villager identified as Patrick Mwanza, and later slaughtered it near the Komarock Shrine at the weekend.

Matungulu OCPD Joseph Chesire said one of the suspects was intercepted by police manning the Athi roadblock while ferrying part of the consignment on a motorbike. “We arrested one of the suspects who was ferrying meat on a motorbike and he led police to the scene where animals had been slaughtered by his accomplice whom we also arrested after carrying out investigation,” Mr Chesire told The Standard in an interview.

Some six knives, pliers, a machete and rolls of meat-wrapping paper were recovered at the scene where the animal had been slaughtered. “After carrying out a thorough search, our officers managed to recover an assortment of tools used to kill and slaughter the animal, as well as the animal’s skeleton”, he said.

“We believe that we have smashed a key network of criminal cartels who have been responsible for theft of livestock in this area and its environs, and we urge members of public to cooperate with security agencies in order to end the menace,” Mr Chesire added.

The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court this morning.

The incident triggered demonstrations by area residents who barricaded the Tala-Nairobi highway early Saturday morning, causing a huge traffic snarl-up on the busy highway.

Police had to be called in to clear the road which had been blocked by the demonstrators where hundreds of motorists and travellers who were traveling to and from the city were stranded for hours.

The incident occurred barely a month after Governor Alfred Mutua launched the ‘Machakos County Comprehensive Security Program’ aimed at addressing security issues within the county.

 The launch saw 120 police patrol cars unveiled, five security call centres with a toll free number established at major towns as well as sniffer dogs.

But speaking to The Standard on Saturday, some residents raised concerns that the toll-free numbers were non-functional and that majority are still living in fear of being attacked or their property stolen.