Police in Kirinyaga County have recovered 16 cows stolen from Narok County, with two suspects arrested in connection with the theft.
Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Henry Gitonga said 21 animals had been stolen, but four were slaughtered before they could be recovered. One cow is still missing.
Police recovered 14 cows at Murubara slaughter slab and two others in Kimicha after the affected farmers followed the trail of their missing livestock from Narok to Kirinyaga.
Gitonga said the two suspects, including a butcher operating in Ngurubani town and an alleged accomplice, were arrested and taken to Narok Police Station on Monday night. The theft had initially been reported at the station.
The recovery followed a search by farmers led by John Sosio, who said they had been looking for the animals since Saturday.
The farmers traced the stolen cattle from Narok through Suswa to Kamburu, where they obtained the registration number of a vehicle suspected of transporting the animals.
Sosio said they reported the theft to police and used CCTV footage to follow the vehicle’s movements as they continued their search across county boundaries.
The farmers eventually traced the cattle to Murubara slaughter slab, where they identified the recovered animals.
“We are happy we have recovered 16 cows,” Sosio said, while expressing concern over the animal that remains missing.
The farmers suspect that more people could be involved in the theft, alleging that a network of dealers, buyers and transporters may be operating between Narok and Kirinyaga.
Sosio claimed that a dealer from Kirinyaga hires vehicles to collect cattle from Narok, while a buyer provides fuel for transportation. He also alleged that a woman from Narok was involved in the suspected network. These claims have not been independently verified.
He further alleged that the main suspect, whom he accused of coordinating the theft in Narok, had escaped.
The incident has also raised concern among residents of Kirinyaga, who said livestock theft had become a major problem in the area.
Residents at Murubara slaughter slab expressed disbelief that the suspected thieves had allegedly extended their operations beyond Kirinyaga.
“We are crying a lot over theft; now they have crossed over to Narok. What a joke,” some residents said.
The farmers have urged residents of Narok to remain alert as investigations continue. They also want police to establish the whereabouts of the missing cow and identify anyone else who may have been involved.
Police investigations into the theft are ongoing.
