We're coming for you, Matiang'i tells cattle rustlers

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i speaks to members of National Assembly National Security and Administration in Mombasa on April 20, 2018. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Interior CS Dr Mating'i says government has changed tack on how it approaches fight against cattle rustlers/
  • CS says a well-organised criminal network behind cattle rusting menace.
  • Rift Valley region is the hardest hit by the theft of cows.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has now trained his sights on cattle rustlers, saying the government is close to crushing the criminal network behind the deadly menace.

Speaking when he addressed Parliament’s National Security and Administration Committee in Shanzu, Mombasa, Dr Matiang’i claimed the government has changed tack in how it fights cattle rustling.

TRACKING

The Interior CS claimed that a well-organised criminal network hiding behind “culture” is to blame for the cattle rustling menace that has plagued parts of the country for long and crippled economic activities in affected areas.

“The new approach will target the network, follow it and hit them hard because this is an industry. We are following it and we are taking a different approach this time and we are confident we will sort it out,” said Dr Matiang’i.

The Interior CS said security apparatus have been tracking cattle stolen by the criminal network.

“We have been doing this tracking for some time now and we are determined this time around, we will hit and hit hard and sort this thing once and for all because it is not good for the country,” he said.

Rift Valley region is the hardest hit by the theft of livestock.

“We should not hide behind culture. We have the culture which we know about, which is fine. But this culture of stealing livestock from one another will not be tolerated,” he said.