Suspected livestock thief arrested in Mwea as two accomplices escape

According to residents led by Martin Mwaura, the three suspects allegedly stole three sheep from Eddah Njeri’s homestead on Friday. They were reportedly caught slaughtering the animals about 100 meters from her home.

“Njeri raised the alarm at around 3 a.m., attracting villagers to the scene. The three men fled, abandoning their motorcycle, which helped us trace one of them. We found him asleep at his house around 6 a.m. and arrested him before handing him over to police officers from Thiba Police Station,” said Mwaura.

Njeri said she was awakened by the sound of her sheep bleating and was shocked to discover two of them slaughtered.

“I could not believe it. I had bought those sheep through our women’s group merry-go-round,” she said emotionally.

Residents said the area has witnessed a surge in livestock and poultry thefts in recent months, forcing villagers to stay up at night guarding their animals.

“We’ve experienced a rise in theft across several villages, including Kasarana, Ngukami, Maendeleo, Kangiciri, and Karira. Our patience has run out,” said Peter Mwangi, a resident.

Mwaura added that the arrested suspect, identified as a miraa trader in Ngurubani Town, is believed to be part of a wider livestock theft ring.

“We are glad residents did not take the law into their own hands. It is unfortunate that some miraa traders operating at night in Ngurubani are the same people stealing from our villages,” Mwaura said.

Police have launched a manhunt for the two suspects who escaped and are investigating the incident.