Grazing squad formed to curb rustling in Mavoko

 

A grazing committee has been formed in a bid to end livestock theft in Mavoko, Machakos county.

Mlolongo assistant county commissioner Dennis Ongaga said the committee was formed on Saturday in Katani.

The committee will be headed by assistant chiefs and every village will be represented.

Ongaga said more than 600 cattle, goats and sheep have been stolen in Mlolongo since January.

“There has been a public outcry over escalating stock theft in Katani, Seme, Ngelani and the entire Athi River subcounty in Mavoko,” Ongaga said.

The administrator said the have profiled suspected thieves and identified escape routes.

“We have profiled people suspected to be working with livestock thieves which are later sold in Kitengela, Kamulu and Nairobi. We have also identified escape routes used by lorries that ferry stolen cattle from the division,” Ongaga said.

He said Mlolongo and Katani locations were vast, hence the need for effective community policing and a vibrant Nyumba Kumi initiative to help contain insecurity in the region.

“We have clarified that any livestock coming to this area must be recorded, so we can know the number of livestock he is bringing, details of those bringing in the cattle, days they will stay and areas they will be grazing in the subcounty,” Ongaga said.

The administrator said it is important for residents and the security team to cooperate and flush out the culprits.

“No one can just come from outside and steal our cattle. There must be an insider among us who is giving out personal information,” he said.

Mlolongo OCS Joakim Kangangi said the only way they can solve the cattle theft problem is by working with residents.

He said everyone should register all the employees in his/her household at the chief’s office to avoid harbouring criminals.

“We suspect some of these mjengo guys and those who come for a short while and leave, yet we don’t know who they are and where they come from,” Kangangi said    BY THE STAR