Detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested five suspected thieves who were ferrying stolen livestock worth Sh2 million in Naivasha, Nakuru county.
The five, Nancy Njeri, 40, Philip Karuga, 55, John Mwaura, 49, James Githinji, 44 and Peter Cecilia, 49, are said to have been ferrying the sheep to Nairobi.
“The lorry registration number KBM 076Z, was headed for the lucrative Nairobi market when the sleuths acting on intelligence leads intercepted it,” DCI’s report stated.
According to detectives, the sheep had been stolen from a herder in the Mirera area of Longonot and found their way to the established Dagoretti and Kiamaiko livestock markets where they are hurriedly slaughtered and supplied to city nyama choma joints.
Sleuths have raised alarm over a steady rise in livestock theft cases in recent months due to what terms as a growing demand for meat.
Another herd of livestock valued at over Sh2.5 million was also reportedly stolen two weeks ago.
“In December, last year, a butcher operating a chain of nyama choma eateries along the eastern bypass was arrested by detectives following the disappearance of livestock in the neighbouring Machakos county,” added DCI.
The suspects have since been taken into custody pending arraignment today.