Police Crack Livestock Theft Ring as More Than 70 Stolen Animals Recovered in Nyahururu

Police in Nyahururu have recovered more than 70 sheep and goats believed to have been stolen from farmers in Laikipia and neighboring Nyandarua County, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against livestock theft in the region.

The recovery followed an intelligence-led operation conducted in Kapswar Village near Shamenek Forest, where officers traced the animals to a homestead where they had allegedly been hidden before being sold through an organized theft network.

Speaking after the operation, Nyahururu Sub-County Police Commander Joseph Matiku said some of the recovered livestock had already been positively identified by their owners, while the remaining animals are being kept at Nyahururu Police Station awaiting identification.

“We conducted an intelligence-led operation within Kapswar Village near Shamenek Forest where we recovered more than 70 sheep and goats. Some residents have already identified their animals, while those yet to be claimed have been left at Nyahururu Police Station awaiting identification by their rightful owners,” said Matiku.

He said investigations are continuing as detectives pursue those behind the suspected livestock theft syndicate. According to the police commander, most thefts occur at night, with stolen animals quickly moved into forested areas or concealed in remote homesteads before being transported to illegal markets.

Livestock theft remains a persistent challenge in parts of Kenya, particularly in rural communities where sheep, goats and cattle are an important source of household income and food security. Besides causing financial losses, the crime disrupts livelihoods and increases insecurity among farming families.

Matiku urged farmers who have recently lost livestock to visit Nyahururu Police Station to inspect the recovered animals and report any suspicious activity that could assist ongoing investigations.

Several farmers have already reunited with some of their animals following the operation. Former Losogwa Ward Councillor Ndungu Kariuki, who lost his sheep during a nighttime raid in June, said he was relieved to identify one of his stolen animals after believing it had been lost forever.

Another farmer from Maili Saba Village, recovered four of the six sheep stolen from her homestead in April. She thanked the police for their persistence, noting that one of the recovered sheep held sentimental value because she had raised it by hand after its mother died.

Police say operations targeting livestock theft will continue across Laikipia and neighboring counties as investigations intensify to dismantle the criminal network responsible. Authorities have also encouraged livestock owners to strengthen security measures, promptly report thefts, and work closely with local administrators and law enforcement to help prevent future incidents.