NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 25 — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has decried the resurgence of cattle rustling activities in Meru County.
Wetangula expressed concern over a raid by a criminal gang in a village in Tigania West constituency who then made away with more than 800 cattle in three separate incidents in less than a week.
“Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki had made gains in the fight against cattle rustling but the resurgent of the vice in Meru is worrying,” said Wetangula.
He said he will address the matter with the CS as he called for beefing up of security in the area to tame the menace that was giving residents sleepless nights.
Wetangula was speaking at Mikinduri shopping centre in Tigania East constituency where he presided over a harambee in aid of Tigania Women Sacco (TIWOSA).
MPs from the county had complained to Wetang’ula that laxity among security officers was to blame for the increased incidents of cattle rustling.
“Cattle rustlers raided a village in my constituency last week and made away with 517 herds of cattle. Two days later, they were at it again, and this time they stole 258 animals before living victims nursing bullet wounds,” said John Mutunga (Tigania West).
He lamented: “Instead of the security officers pursuing the criminals who were driving away the animals they were busy in security meetings.”
Kindikiri and Aburi questioned how the criminals could drive more than 500 animals through the forest without the intervention of police.
“Our people are counting loses and living in fear following unending raids by the cattle rustlers,” said Igembe South MP, John Paul.
He added that local people relied on the cattle for their livelihood and the government should protect them against the criminals he alleged were operating with impunity.
Wetangula told chiefs and their assistants to step up a crackdown on agents of the cattle rustlers since they live villages under their watch.
“Chiefs and their assistants are the eyes of the government on security at the grassroots level. Step up the hunt on agents of the cattle rustlers if we are to win these war,” the Speaker added.
During the event, Kindikiri took issue with the Controller of Budget whom he accused of wagging a war on the government.
“The Controller of Budget is using her office to defame president Ruto’s government and we will not tolerate her,” he said.
He added: “We are reading a sinister motive in reports released by the Controller of Budget on government expenditure. She has hatched a scheme to defame the government.”
The MPs supported Azimio Leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the AU Commission chairperson’s position.
Other MPs present included David Kiplagat, Njoroge Wainaina, Leonard Yegon, Moses Kimani and Gakuya Mwangi.