More than 200 bags of coffee stolen in Central region in last two months

Two people walk past the Central Kenya Coffee mill in Mathira where security had been beefed up after coffee theft on December 6, 2015. According to the police, 83 bags of coffee was stolen and investigations commenced immediately. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Nicholas Komu

What you need to know:

  • Police said an unknown number of people broke into Central Kenya Coffee Mill in Mathira, Nyeri around 3am.
  • Area criminal investigations officer Charles Kipchumba said preliminary findings indicate that the store door had not been locked properly, giving access to the criminals.
  • The firm’s management denied that coffee was stolen.
  • Last week, Gachirago Coffee Factory in Murang’a County lost more than 30 bags of coffee.

Eighty three bags of coffee were stolen from Central Kenya Coffee Mill, Kenya's largest private miller, on Sunday bringing the number looted in the region in the last two months to more than 200.

Police said an unknown number of people broke into Central Kenya Coffee Mill in Mathira, Nyeri around 3am and made away with the loot worth millions of shillings.

The suspects are said to have climbed over the wall at the heavily protected facility and tied up two guards before stealing the coffee from one of the stores.

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The miller has nine-foot walls, an electric fence, surveillance cameras and an alarm system.

Police said “it was an easy break-in."

“Investigations are underway. We are not ruling out the possibility of an inside job,” said Mathira East deputy  police boss Steven Muoni, adding that the guards would be interrogated.

Area criminal investigations officer Charles Kipchumba said preliminary findings indicate that the store door had not been locked properly, giving access to the criminals.

However, the firm’s management denied that coffee was stolen.

They said they are taking stock to establish if there was theft.

In central region, coffee theft worsens during the harvesting period.

MURANG'A COUNTY

Last week, Gachirago Coffee Factory in Murang’a County lost more than 30 bags of coffee.

A gang of 12 broke into the factory, ambushed the security guards and tied them up.

There was an attempted break-in at Wathenge Coffee Factory, which is less than 3kms from Gachirago Coffee Factory.

However, security officers responded immediately after the alarm was raised. Kamacharia Ward Representative Joseph Machiri said this was the second coffee theft reported in less than a week after thieves made away with 28 bags worth Sh600,000 at Wanjengi Coffee Factory in Kahuro Sub -County.

In October, more than 100 bags of coffee were stolen from warehouses of various millers.

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua said all societies would be required to insure their coffee from this month.

He attributed the rising cases of theft to the high market value of the coffee.

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