Kenyan authorities have arrested eight suspects linked to a widespread livestock theft syndicate operating across Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyeri, and Murang’a counties. The arrests followed coordinated raids in Kagio and Mwea towns in Kirinyaga County, where police discovered felony amounts of stolen cattle.
Among the suspects are Patrick Wanjohi Njoki, Peter Muriithi Ngari, Lukes Ochieng Olao, Simon Karagu Murigi, and Anthony Mutugi. Also arrested were Daniel Kinyua Wangari, Samuel Gitonga Miano, and Cecilia Wanja Njogu, who is known as a buyer of stolen livestock based in Mwea.
Currently, all eight suspects remain in police custody and are awaiting court arraignment.
The crackdown occurred shortly after a multi-agency security team recovered 145 cows and five donkeys stolen by bandits in Tigania East, Meru County. Following a tip-off, units from the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), National Police Reservists (NPR), Special Operations Group (SOG), and Kenya Police Service (KPS) pursued the armed bandits.
The pursuit culminated at Arow Dam in Gambela, where a fierce exchange of gunfire forced the bandits to abandon the stolen livestock and flee. The recovered animals were returned to their rightful owners, while police continue efforts to capture the remaining criminals involved in the syndicate.
