Suspected cattle thief arrested, cows recovered in Machakos

Machakos county police commander Patrick Lobolia said the cows were recovered from two suspected thieves in Masii division on Monday.

Lobolia said the matter was reported to the Masii police station in Mwala subcounty as recovery of stolen livestock/ prisoner in at 10.30 am.

“Following the information from members of the public that two men had been seen with two cows headed to the Masii Girls secondary school direction about seven kilometers South of the station at around 4.00 am on Monday, officers from Masii police station led by the area OCS and members of the public intercepted the same and recovered the two livestock,” Lobolia told the Star on Monday.

He said the nabbed suspect had injuries to the face, leg and hand which resulted as a result of mob injustice. The suspect was taken to Mwala Level 4 hospital for medication under police guard until he recovers pending processing for court.

“The suspect’s accomplice escaped. He is still on the run but our officers are in his hot pursuit, we are determined to equally arrest him for him to face the full wrath of the law,” Lobolia said.

Lobolia said the owner of the livestock had recorded her statement with the police on the missing cows before they were recovered. They will be used in court as exhibits once the injured suspect recovers and is arraigned.

He said the owner of the two cows, a woman, and resident of Syathani village in Mwala subcounty, had positively identified his lost and found livestock which police handed over to her.

Necessary processes and procedures including taking the cows’ photographs, were conducted by the police officers to aid in prosecution of the suspect already under police custody alongside his accomplice on the run once arrested.

Lobolia said OCS, Masii police station had launched investigations into the incident.