A suspected stock thief was arrested in Kirinyaga County on Tuesday, June 9,2026,after detectives intercepted a vehicle transporting two slaughtered cows believed to have been stolen.
Kirinyaga County Criminal Investigations Officer Justus Imaana said officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Mwea East acted on a tip-off from members of the public at around noon regarding a suspicious vehicle carrying suspected stolen livestock.
According to Imaana, detectives launched a pursuit after receiving information that a Toyota Probox was transporting stolen cattle. As officers closed in on the vehicle, the driver stopped, abandoned it and attempted to flee on foot.
“The officers gave chase and, with the assistance of members of the public, managed to arrest the suspect, who was identified as Michael Ngure Maringa,” said Imaana.
A search of the vehicle revealed two carcasses of female cows that had already been beheaded. Detectives also recovered a blood-stained panga and several items of clothing believed to be linked to the crime.
The suspect was taken to Wang’uru Police Station for interrogation. Investigations later established that the vehicle, which was displaying registration number KCF 684J, was using what police suspect to be a fake number plate.
Imaana said they will present to suspect in court tomorrow at same time seek custodial orders to allow investigators more time to establish the ownership of both the vehicle and the stolen livestock. The county investigations chief praised members of the public for providing information that led to the arrest and recovery of the carcasses.
“I want to thank members of the public who provided the information that enabled us to arrest the suspect and recover the two cow carcasses,” he said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing information with law enforcement agencies to help curb the growing menace of stock theft in the county. Imaana assured residents that all information shared with police would be treated confidentially and appealed to the public to report any suspicious activities to aid ongoing efforts to combat livestock theft.
“We are committed to getting to the bottom of this matter and ensuring that all those involved in cattle theft are brought to justice,” he said.
In recent past residents of Kirinyaga County have witnessed a surge in livestock theft, with suspected thieves stealing cows at night and, in some cases, slaughtering them near homesteads.They asked authorities to intensify investigations and question suspects in a bid to uncover those behind the thefts.
