Police said the arrested man was the driver of the impounded motor vehicle.
Two of his accomplices are said to have escaped during the police swoop after they were allegedly found loading stolen goats at Karunga area in Kinanie, Athi River subcounty.
The matter was reported to Athi River police station as stock theft and arrest of a suspect report made at the station at 6.30 am on Monday.
“It was reported by a resident of Karunga that some unknown persons had invaded his boma and stole 22 goats. Police officers from Kinanie police post responded and, while patrolling along Nyaani area, came across a motor vehicle which the suspects were loading the goats into,” a police report seen by the Star read in part.
Police said the suspects had already loaded three goats and one sheep into the motor vehicle when the officers struck.
“Two of the suspects managed to run away. The driver of the motor vehicle was arrested and escorted to Kinanie police post,” police said.
The recovered goats and sheep have been kept as exhibits.
Police have launched investigations into the incident.
There have been reports of increased stock theft in Machakos county, with residents expressing frustration and outrage over the issue.
The situation has prompted some residents, especially men from Katani, Kinanie and Lukenya locations within Athi River subcounty to spend nights outside their homes while protecting their livestock.
“Stock theft syndicate is depriving us our livelihoods; the thieves are terrible. We nowadays sleep out of our homes as men, while women remain with children in houses. This is to keep watch of our livestock as villagers,” a resident of Kinanie told the Star on Monday.
Widow Wanza Kioko, 78, told the Star that she was
rendered poor after she lost over 60 goats, sheep and cattle to thieves in
2023. She is a resident of Kinanie location in Athi River subcounty, Machakos
county.
Residents are calling for increased action to curb stock theft.
