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Residents of Nyandarua County have been asked to avoid buying meat from suspicious sources to curb livestock theft in the area.
County Commissioner Mr Samuel Kimiti noted that cattle theft was perpetrated by butchers or their agents who steal animals to slaughter and sell the meat locally.
“There are no cattle rustlers here, animals are stolen by butchers who later sell the meat to the locals or to other areas,” Kimiti said yesterday at Ndaragwa stadium during Madaraka Day celebrations.
He was reacting to claims by a member of the County Assembly Service Board (CASB) Mr Thirikwa kamau that cattle rustlers had invaded the region.
“We cannot import cattle rustlers from Baringo or Pokot. 30 cows have been stolen in the past one month including mine,” Kamau said.
He added that the cows were either slaughtered of sold live to unsuspecting people.
Kimiti warned butchers caught in the game that their licenses would be cancelled and prosecuted.
He added “If people stop buying meat from unscrupulous butchers, they will have no market and cattle theft would be curbed”.
The Commissioner asked the local Chamber of Commerce to assist in identifying business people operating illegal activities to curb the menace.
Kamau called on KWS to contain buffaloes roaming in Ndaragwa Sub-County that are causing havoc to crops leading to hunger and perpetuation of poverty.
