Kirinyaga residents raise alarm over livestock theft syndicate

The latest incident involves Stephen Muriithi, a resident of Kandongu village in Mutithi Ward, Mwea, who reported the theft of two cows while grazing them near his home.

According to the family, Muriithi had briefly stepped away before returning to find the animals missing.

His son, Muthii Muriithi, said the family reported the matter at Kiamaciri Police Station before launching a search for the animals.

“We later traced the cows to Kanyekiine in Kirinyaga Central, where they had been tied at a homestead,” he said.

The family claims the animals had been transported using a tuk-tuk by individuals posing as livestock brokers.

Residents of Kanyekiine said they were surprised by the discovery, adding that they had assumed the animals had been acquired legally because the homestead owner was known locally as a livestock trader.

Tension briefly escalated after residents confronted several individuals linked to the incident, but local administrators and police officers from Mutitu Police Station intervened and restored calm.

Police later took three people, including a woman, to Kiamaciri Police Station for questioning as investigations continued.

Some residents now suspect that certain individuals operating as livestock brokers in areas such as Kutus and Makutano could be linked to organized livestock theft.

Locals allege that stolen animals are moved between Mwea and Kirinyaga Central to make tracing them more difficult.

Residents are now calling on security agencies to intensify investigations, monitor livestock movement, and crack down on individuals suspected of collaborating with thieves.

“We are worried because it is becoming difficult to know who to trust,” one farmer said.

Police have confirmed that investigations into the suspected livestock theft network are ongoing.