By A, KNA
Fear, disbelief and sleepless nights has become the norm for over 100 households in Konza area of Kalama Sub County in Machakos after losing close to 2000 livestock through theft in the past two months.
The residents believe that the thieves are well oriented with the area and are a well-coordinated syndicate armed with firearms that are targeting their livestock that has left them counting major losses and lack of peace in the Konza community.
According to Community Chairman Thomas Mutuku, in the last two months close to 2000 livestock including, cows, goats and sheep have been stolen and this week they raided several homesteads and 60 cows were stolen in the middle of the night where they engaged the thieves in a cat and mouse chase through the rough Konza plains area in vain.
Mutuku says they have informed the police from the Konza Police post and community security team who have taken up the case together with officers from the KWS and other cattle owners as they devise ways to capture the armed bandits.
Jay Matelo, a caretaker and security guard in one of the targeted homes, said he was ambushed by two armed thieves in the middle of the night who locked him inside the house after cutting through the fence and went ahead to steal several goats after slaughtering the young ones.
Jay claims that while locked inside the house, he saw the thieves slaughtering the little goats, extracting their intestines, combining it with blood and drinking the mixture before fleeing, which the locals believe is a ritual to render the thieves untouchable, conceal their identity and aid them in their ruthless livestock theft.
One of the affected owners of the cattle, Leonard Chege says they have been sleeping outside to curb insecurity in the area. He is devastated and is counting major losses as he is left with the carcasses of his livestock that have been slaughtered and devoured by vultures.
“It seems they are offering sacrifices by slaughtering the young goats, drinking their blood and eating the intestines, because they become invisible and cannot be affected by any curse sworn upon them after stealing the livestock and in case you chase them you become confused,” decried Chege.
Chege adds that after a joint operation between the KWS, police and community members some cattle were recovered as they are following up with the rest.
The Police have so far arrested one suspect with four mobile phones recovered and undergoing forensic analysis, they also intercepted two vehicles, a probox and a Nissan that the suspects used to flee the scene which have been held at Konza police post.
The police and other involved security forces have assured the residents of swift investigations of arresting the armed thieves and putting an end to the alarming livestock theft that has deprived the Konza community in Kalama of sleep and peace.