Members of provincial administration from Gesima ward in Nyamira have been accused of shielding cattle rustlers, leading to increased cattle rustling incidents in the region.
This comes a day after seven cows were reported to have been stolen by anonymous people from the region, causing anxiety among area residents near the troubled Borabu-Sotik border.
The incidents are said to have increased following the ongoing intensive rains, giving the culprits humble time to commit the crime unnoticed at night.
Led by former councilor Julius Nyachieo (also a victim of cattle rustling) on Friday, residents accused the provincial administration of shielding suspects.
“It is really discouraging that in a span of three days we can lose seven cattle to rustlers. We know some of them and they have gone scot free because they are shielded by chiefs and their assistants. We have tried to have them apprehended but sadly, we are told that there isn’t sufficient evidence,” Nyachieo said.
He said the provincial administration had neglected their duties by failing to call for local barazas to solve the menace.
“We are rarely invited in village barazas to discuss contemporary issues like a cattle rustling that has left some of us counting loses. They (administrators) have lost the fight because they can no longer engage us to discuss these issues and help identify the culprits because they are among us. They also know those responsible and I wonder why take long to take an action,” he added.
However, Riooga Assistant Chief Bosire Sambu, who was in attendance, defended his colleagues and blamed residents for failing to give intelligence information that could be used to arrest suspects.
“The councilor (Nyachieo) knows that you cannot arrest someone without sufficient evidence. I only hear people saying they know the culprits but none has ever helped administrators to identify and arrest them. The law is clear and we cannot violate it,” said Sambu.
(Former Gesima Councilor Mr. Julius Nyanchio addressing residents of Nyaronge during a funeral. He led disgruntled residents to attack the provincial administration for allegedly shielding cattle rustlers/Abuga Makori)