Subukia residents have hailed the six to six o’clock ban on livestock transportation citing that it would curb the increased cases of cattle rustling in the area.
The resident cited that armed gangs took advantage of the night livestock transportation to steal cattle from the them.
“We live in constant fear of being killed or attacked late in the night. The animals are also quickly transported at night and it becomes very hard to trace them. Banning the travelling is important as it will reduce or even stop the thieves from taking advantage of the darkness to steal our cattle,” said Jacob Maina, area resident.
Maina cited that he lost 60 goats in January and the animals could not be traced since it was late at night. Benard Kamau, also the area resident, claimed that the ban would make it impossible for rustlers to escape since there will be officers ensuring that no cattle are found moving at night.
“We feel safer now as the police will be able to control the gangs now,” said Kamau.
The ban was issued after a meeting lead by livestock officers David Koskey of Rongai, Phillip Nzungo of Mogotio and Jackson Ole Chuta of Subukia.
The officers pledged to implement the ban immediately and arrest any person caught disregarding the ban.
Ole Chuta said that at least 800 animals were stolen in the last five months and only 300 were recovered.
Chuta added that Karandi area of Subukia is the most affected as the cattle stolen were transported to Baringo, Marigat, Muchungui, Mogotio and Lower Solai where they are believed to have been slaughtered and sold as meat in markets outside the area.