Kokoto sub-chief Wesley Karani has decried the increasing trend of livestock robbery in the area while attributing the vice to negligence by local farmers.
The sub chief at the same time hinted that the local law enforcers had launched an intense investigation to quash the crime wave which he said could be an underhand of local meat dealers who collude with crooks to terrorise local small scale livestock farmers.
While addressing residents of Muchanganyiko Slum along Nakuru-Subukia road on Saturday morning during a security meeting, Karani noted that more than 20 goats and sheep had been reported missing by local farmers in the last two months, leaving a lot behind to be desired.
“It is disturbing to note that there is a new criminal trend targeting small livestock in this area. Reports of sheep and goats going missing mysteriously are overwhelming, but we have launched an intensive investigation to bring criminal ring to an end.
Nevertheless Karani attributed the increased livestock theft to negligence by farmers whom he accused of not providing adequate security to their animals.
He observed that most livestock farmers in semi-urban areas feel lazy to feed their animals thus leaving them to roam aimlessly in Estates in search of free food, a fact that renders them vulnerable to thieves.