By Peter Ochieng
Police in Samburu East, Samburu County have recovered 18 heads of cattle reportedly stolen in Meru County.
The cattle were recovered during a special operations team based at Archers Police Post. They were conducting their routine operation on March 15, 2024 at Sero Longai Village, Samburu East at around 0300hrs.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), a fierce exchange ensued between security officers and the suspects.
“During the recovery, a fierce exchange ensued between the security team and in the process, the suspects damaged the radiator of Police lorry Reg. GKB 408U. The security team managed to recover an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition and three Techno mobile phones from the suspects,” NPS said.
“The recovered animals were handed over to their owners while the mobile phones were handed over to DCI for further investigations.”
Last week, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki said insecurity around the Northern Grazing Fields in Meru North remains a major concern, and the government takes the matter seriously.
“To conclusively eradicate the livestock rustling menace, the government is onboarding the input of all stakeholders,” said the CS.
He spoke when he held a consultative forum with Meru County elected leaders, to avail them an opportunity to share their proposals in addressing the challenge.
The former Tharaka Nithi Senator updated the leaders on the nationwide operation announced by the government to combat the manufacture, trade, consumption and abuse of illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Kindiki called on the leaders to cooperate with security agencies to crackdown on merchants of death, who threaten the future of our Nation through the manufacture and sale of poisonous alcoholic drinks and toxic drugs.
Senate Deputy Speaker and Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, Chairman of the Meru Parliamentary Caucus and Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, Woman Representative Elizabeth Kailemia, MPs Rahim Dawood (North Imenti), Dr. Shadrack Mwiti (South Imenti), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Dr. John Mutunga (Tigania West), John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North) and Dorothy Muthoni (Nominated) and Speaker Ayub Bundi were among the leaders who attended the meeting.
