Farmers In Gilgil Protest Increased Cattle Rustling Targeting Dairy Cows With Meat Being Sold In Black Market

NAKURU, Kenya, Aug 1 – Increased cases of cattle rustling in various sub counties of Nakuru saw residents decide to take matters into their own hands in a bid to end the menace.

The accused law enforcement officers of failing to execute their mandate.

One such incident was a few days ago when residents of Mukeu village in Kinangop along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway torched a personal vehicle suspected to have been ferrying meat from cattle stolen in a near-by village.

So far at least 30 farmers have fallen victim to cattle rustlers after their farms were raided. Authorities have established that the gang suspected to be working with local residents are largely targeting dairy cows.

“I used to supply several homes with milk but since the theft of three of my dairy cows I have been left penniless,” said Kibe Njuguna, a local farmer.

Carcasses of livestock have also been found in open fields in the area and later suspected to be sold to unsuspecting butcheries.

Residents in Mbaruk, Gilgil constituency are calling on police to move with speed and stop the vice.

“Nearly all the homes that rear livestock in this area have been affected and we are calling on police to take action against these cartels,” said a local resident who spoke to Shahidi News.

In a bid to evade authorities, police have established that the gangs are transporting the illegal meat using personal vehicles.