Three Arrested Over Cross-County Livestock Theft Syndicate

Embu, Kenya — September 27, 2025 (EAT). The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested three suspects believed to be behind a major livestock theft ring operating across Embu and Kirinyaga counties.

The Latest

In a statement posted on its official X account, the DCI confirmed the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated security operation on Friday night.

“The three are believed to be part of a wider network responsible for a spate of livestock theft incidents reported over the past three months,” the statement said.

The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to trace stolen animals and recover evidence linking them to multiple cases across the two counties.

Context in Brief

• Livestock theft remains a persistent security challenge in several Kenyan counties, with syndicates often targeting cattle and goats for illegal trade in neighboring regions.

• Local farmers have previously raised concerns over economic losses and inadequate security patrols in rural areas.

What Authorities Say

• County Security Committees in both Embu and Kirinyaga have vowed to intensify crackdowns on such syndicates.

• DCI has urged the public to report suspicious livestock movements to local authorities.

What’s Next

The suspects are expected to be arraigned once investigations conclude, with police hinting at possible charges under the Penal Code for theft and related offenses.