Eleven arraigned in Kerugoya court over livestock theft spree

The suspects — identified as Agostino Kirimi, John Macharia, Patrick Wanjohi, Cecily Wanja, Lucas Ochieng, Anthony Muturi, Daniel Kinyua, Simon Murigi, Peter Muriithi, Samuel Gitonga, and Charles Kariuki — appeared before Principal Magistrate Claire Wanyama.

According to the charge sheet, the group is accused of stealing livestock on various dates while using a Toyota Succeed, registration number KBT 117T.

On July 30, 2025, at Kangaita village in Kirinyaga Central, the suspects allegedly stole a Jersey cow worth Sh90,000 belonging to Geoffrey Njue Muchiri. A month later, on August 31 at Gatwe village, they were accused of stealing another Jersey cow of similar value from Ephraim Thuo.

The third count states that on August 13 at Kaitheri village, the suspects stole two goats and a sheep worth Sh40,000 belonging to Erastus Muriu. In yet another incident on June 3 at Kiangungu village, they allegedly stole two bulls valued at Sh120,000 from Humphrey Kamau.

The court also heard that on August 28 at Kirungu in Mwea, the accused stole two more bulls worth Sh120,000. Two days later, on August 30, they allegedly stole a Friesian cow worth Sh90,000 at Kanyekiine, property of Roland Thiaka Gatimu.

In a separate charge, the court was told that one of the suspects, Agostino Kirimi, being the proprietor of Capital Butchery in Embu Town, was found selling uninspected meat. The group also faces a conspiracy charge of stealing livestock in Kirinyaga between July 30, 2024, and August 31, 2025.

The accused denied all charges. However, the prosecution opposed their release on bail, citing heightened public anger over rampant livestock theft in the region and concerns for the suspects’ safety. The magistrate ordered that a ruling on their bond application will be delivered on September 22, 2025.

The eleven were arrested on August 31 following a multi-county investigation into rising livestock thefts that have rocked Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyeri, and Murang’a counties.