Police are currently investigating a robbery in which a group of armed individuals raided a holding yard in Athi River, Machakos County, and made off with 13 bulls valued at Sh1 million.
The incident occurred around 3 am on Monday in the Portland area, where two guards were on duty. The attackers, armed with crude weapons, subdued the guards and drove the bulls to an unknown location. Authorities believe the thieves had a lorry ready for the operation.
At the time of the attack, the guards were responsible for overseeing 139 cattle. They reported that the group, consisting of more than 10 individuals, overpowered them before making off with the 13 bulls. During the altercation, one of the guards sustained a head injury from a panga and was taken to the hospital, where he is in stable condition.
The robbers also confiscated five mobile phones from the guards before fleeing. Despite a thorough search of the area, no arrests or recoveries have been made so far.
Investigators have noted the unusual nature of the attack, especially given its occurrence within a city. The yard, located near the Athi River slaughterhouse, is part of a practice where herders lease fields and yards to care for their livestock before selling them. Authorities suspect the stolen bulls may have been taken to other slaughterhouses in the city.
While cattle rustling is more commonly associated with regions like Kerio Valley, where it has had a severe impact on local communities, this incident highlights the need for increased attention to such crimes even in urban areas. Just a day earlier, gunmen raided a village in Isiolo, killing a herder and stealing 100 cows, underscoring the persistent threat of cattle rustling across the country.
