In a chilling escalation of coffee-related crimes, a gang of over 15 raided Mburi Coffee Factory in Gichugu, overpowering guards and vanishing into the night with bags of prized cherries.
The daring heist marks the latest blow in a string of unsolved thefts shaking Kirinyaga’s coffee-growing heartland.
The attackers struck under the cover of darkness, overpowering the guards before stealing bags of coffee cherries that were scheduled for sale on Wednesday.
The factory manager, Joseph Muchiri, confirmed that the gang also broke into the factory’s office and took off with a society laptop.
“They broke into the society office and made away with the society laptop before escaping with bags of coffee,” said MuchiriNight watchman Peter Chomba Mwaniki, visibly shaken, narrated how the gang ambushed him within the compound.
Mirichi Coffee Cooperative Society members, led by Charles Kariuki Gachoki, said they are shocked by the ongoing coffee theft incidents in the region’s factories.
“They started by stealing from Togonye Coffee Factory last month, then Gikumbo Coffee Factory, and today they have stolen from Mburi Coffee Factory. What is happening in Gichugu?” Mr. Kariuki asked.