Butcher in custody for allegedly stealing livestock worth over Sh1million
A butcher operating a chain of Nyama Choma eateries along the eastern bypass, is in police custody after he was linked to the disappearance of livestock in Machakos County.
Peter Njenga alias Sonko was arrested after forensic investigations linked him to the raid of a Masai manyatta on December 16, last year in Athi River.
“The raid was staged in the dead of the night, they managed to steal a herd of cattle valued at over Sh1 million that was stolen and loaded into a waiting lorry,” read Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) report
Detectives from the elite Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, together with Athi River based investigators have since established that the cattle were driven to Dagoretti slaughterhouse, where a ready market for livestock including stolen animals thrives.
“In some instances, the animals are slaughtered in the bush and ferried straight to popular meat joints in the city,” the report indicated.
The 41-year-old mastermind of the illegal is an established butcher who operates nyama choma eateries, scattered across the city.
“They are located at strategic places along the eastern bypass in Utawala and Ruiru towns, where city residents and revellers frequent to enjoy mouth-watering nyama choma and other accompaniments,” stated the report.
The suspect’s butcheries offer a Kilogram of beef at a highly discounted price of Sh380.
Maina’s arrest cames after numerous complaints from Athi River based herders, following an increase in livestock disappearance over the past few months.
After being grilled, the suspect has led detectives to his accomplices in the multi-million livestock theft industry.
Among the suspects arrested is the driver of the lorry that ferried the livestock David Gachora and the lorry’s owner Samuel Mwangi.
After checking out Gachora’s details, detectives established that he has a history of ferrying stolen livestock and has a similar case pending at the Mavoko Law courts.
