Cattle rustlers attack village in Tharaka-Nithi, steal animals
Tharaka-Nithi County Commissioner Florence Amoit addresses journalist outside her office in Chuka Town on April 13, 2016. She assured residents of Tharaka North of security after unknown number of animals were stolen on Tuesday evening by armed cattle rustlers. PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The attackers also abducted two boys who were grazing but later released them after entering Meru National Park.
- Chief Patrick Kiria said the raiders are suspected to be bandits who hide in the National park.
- Meru National Park Senior Warden Tuqa Jirmo dismissed rumours from locals that his officers could be involved in the attacks.
- Residents criticised police for taking too long to respond to the report.
Tension was high in Kathunuko, Tharaka North in Tharaka-Nithi County after suspected armed cattle rustlers raided the village Tuesday evening and stole an unknown number of animals.
The attackers are said to have stolen more than 20 cows and 30 goats in the 6pm attack and abducted two boys who were grazing but later released them after entering Meru National Park.
Kathangacini Location Chief Patrick Kiria told the Nation by phone that the two boys who were held captive reported that three heavily armed men came from the bush, "arrested" them before driving away the animals into the Meru National Park.
“The boys said they were ordered to follow the three men silently but they were released on crossing Ura River which separates the village with the Meru National Park,” said Mr Kiria.
He said the raiders are suspected to be bandits who hide in the National park.
“The boys said the raiders had light hair and are suspected to be of Somali origin who used to terrorise herders some years ago,” he said.
RANGERS PURSUING RAIDERS
Meru National Park Senior Warden Tuqa Jirmo told the Nation by phone that he received the information from the residents on Tuesday night and Wednesday he sent rangers to pursue the cattle rustlers.
“My rangers are pursuing them and once the weather is clear, we will conduct some aerial surveillance with our aircraft to ensure that the suspects do not hide in the park if at all they entered inside and have not crossed [over] to the other side,” said Mr Jirmo.
He dismissed rumours from locals that his officers could be involved in the attacks.
“Even our truck that the locals are alleging was seen in the area is in Nairobi and we also [came to know] of the raid from the residents,” he said.
Tharaka-Nithi County Commissioner Florence Amoit told Nation at her office in Chuka Town that police from Gatunga Station and Kiamiramba post were pursuing the raiders.
GIVE PROMPT REPORTS
She said that the information reached them late after the raiders had already entered the park.
“I urge the locals to be informing the security officers [in time] for quick action to be taken,” said Ms Amoit.
She assured residents that the anti-stock theft police post which is under construction in the area would soon be complete and officers sent there.
“We will give priority to completion of the anti-stock theft police post in the area to counter any raid,” she assured.
She said police will keep vigil in the area in case the bandits resurface.
However, residents criticised police for taking too long to respond to the report.
Festus Kiguri and Gitonga Kanindo, whose animals were taken, said police responded more than 14 hours after they received the information.
“We blame police laxity for the loss because if they responded immediately the animals could have been recovered,” said Mr Kanindo.
