A special team from the anti-stock theft unit (ASTU) will be deployed in Borabu Constituency in Nyamira County to address the recurrent incidences of stock theft between the two neighbouring communities of Abagusii and Kipsigis.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said that the cattle theft will come to an end once the team arrives in the area to give residents a relief and enable them concentrate on economic activities.
The Interior CS made the remarks Friday, when he presided over the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Matutu Police Station in Borabu Sub County of Nyamira.
Dr. Matiang’i noted that although rustling cases had drastically dropped, there were still a few criminal elements giving area residents sleepless nights with the latest case being when his home was raided and four head of cattle stolen two weeks ago but added that luckily the livestock was later recovered.
“We want to end this vice which has started cropping up again in Borabu after experiencing some peaceful nights for about two to three years hence the reason why our security office has decided to deploy the ASTU team as soon as possible to weed out these few individuals who are stealing our cows”, stated Matiang’i .
The CS faulted the judiciary for releasing cattle thieves on bond or jailing them for lesser periods which he said gives them a chance to continue thriving in the vice even more.
“We have briefly enjoyed some period of peace after we identified and arrested these thieves but after arraigning them in court, they were either released on bond or completed their jail term of a few months and they have come back to continue with the bad behavior, we are going to ensure the courts don’t release these culprits once arraigned before court, the team will also help us to track down the main culprits”, he added.
He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IG) Hillary Mutyambai who promised to personally monitor construction of the police station in collaboration with other regional and local administrators in ensuring that the security personnel in the area enjoy a favourable working environment to be able to secure the lives and property of residents.
Others present were Nyanza Regional Commissioner James Kianda, Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama, Borabu MP Ben Momanyi, amongst other top officials from government.
By Deborah Bochere/Dan Nyamanga
