Bomet farmers decry rise in cattle theft, meat sold in neighbouring sub-counties

Farmers in Boito and Embomos wards in Konoin sub-county, Bomet county, have decried increasing cases of livestock theft in the area.

Speaking to Wananchi Reporting on Wednesday, a section of locals said that an increasing number of farmers have had their livestock stolen.

They said that the cattle are mostly stolen in grazing fields and the nearby Mau forest and multinational tea estates where most residents grazed their livestock.

The livestock is then transported to slaughterhouses in neighbouring sub-counties.

Residents expressed concerns that the theft has become more frequent and traders no longer making profits.

"We urge slaughterhouse operators to make sure anybody who takes an animal for slaughter should take a photograph to help with identification,” said Jeff Korir, a resident of Embomos.

"Another measure we have adopted to curb the rampant theft of livestock is that a person transporting or driving livestock must obtain letters from the area chief and veterinary officer whose jurisdiction the livestock originates."

Residents called on the security apparatus in the subcounty to intervene.