Cattle rustlers tamed as governor assents to law on livestock sale

Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis has assented to a Bill expected to among others curb cattle theft in the region.

The Baringo County Livestock Sales Yard Act introduces a raft of measures ranging from licensing of the yards, transportation of livestock, and general welfare of the livestock in the yard.

If fully implemented, the new law will help address cattle theft as an operator of a yard is required to keep records of any animal consigned to and or sold.

“Such records shall be kept by the operator of a livestock sales yard at the establishment where the sale is held and conducted or such other convenient place as may be approved by the Governor,” reads the bill in part.

Dealers in the livestock trade will have to provide their name and address, description of the livestock including the age, sex and any distinguishing marks. The method by which the livestock was delivered to the yard and in the case of livestock delivered by motor vehicle, the registration number must be provided.

Further, the buyer will also have to provide his details including the name and address.

Those operating the yards will have to be issued with licenses. 

Governor Kiptis said the new law will tame cattle theft which has been rampant in the region. 

“The bill will go a long way in taming cattle theft as details provided by the traders, either the buyer and or the seller will assist in tracing the origin and destination of the livestock,” he said.

The new law as it calls for proper handling of the livestock.