Butchery owner among 11 arrested in Kirinyaga over stolen livestock

The prosecution asked for more time to complete investigations, and Kerugoya Law Court Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku granted the prosecution's application to detain the 11 suspects for seven days at Kerugoya Police Station.

The suspects were arrested by the detectives over the weekend following a wave of livestock theft that has plagued Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyeri, and Murang’a counties.

Patrick Wanjohi Njoki, Peter Muriithi Ngari, Lukes Ochieng Olao, Simon Karagu Murigi, Anthony Mutugi, Daniel Kinyua Wangari, Samuel Gitonga Miano and Cecilia Wanja Njogu were arrested and  caught off guard during a planned raid in Kagio and Mwea towns in Kirinyaga County, just as they were preparing to strike.

On the same day Detectives  arrested four  suspects  John Macharia Karani, Martin Mwangi Gatimu, and Charles Kariuki Njeru confessed to having stolen a cow in Kerugoya in which they later slaughtered and they subsequently transported the carcass to Embu, where it was sold.

 Detectives later  arrested Agustino Kiribi Mutea, the proprietor of Capital Butchery, who was found to have purchased 119 kilograms of meat from the aforementioned suspects.

Detectives have said  livestock  thefts have resulted in substantial financial losses for farmers and have disrupted their primary source of livelihood.

The suspects will appear on September 8th, 2025.