Kenya: Seven arrested over cattle rustling

(SomaliNet) In two separate cases of cattle rustling, Kenyan police have arrested seven suspected livestock thieves and recovered 24 animals stolen.

Iregi Ngatia, Tana River district police commander, said five suspects were first arrested and 20 heads of cattle that were stolen last weekend were recovered. Two other suspected bandits were arrested at Bangale village while driving four animals to Nairobi, he added.

“The recovered animals were stolen at Kabuu village, 100 kilometres from were they were found. We have intensified police checks in the area to reduce cases of banditry,” said Mr Ngatia.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan Government is investigating claims that more than 3,000 Ugandans had moved into Marakwet District.

Local DC Joseph Otieno said the claims, made by local leaders, were serious and their authenticity had to be established. The claims came hot on the heels of an arrest by police of 20 Ugandans in the area.

Locals accuse the foreigners of masterminding crime in the area, citing rising cases of burglary and rape.

On Tuesday, residents appealed to the Government to urgently repatriate the Ugandans who arrived in search of jobs.

The residents put the figure at 10,000, although a Government source said they were about 3,000.-Nation