Detectives arrest man operating chain of butcheries for livestock theft claims

Detectives arrested a butcher operating a chain of ‘Nyama Choma’ eateries along the Eastern Bypass in Nairobi last Friday following the disappearance of livestock in Machakos County.

The suspect identified as Peter Njenga was arrested as bitter complaints from livestock owners living in Athi River recently increased over the losses of their cattle.

Upon interrogation, Njenga led the detectives to his accomplices in the multi-million cattle syndicate. 

Two individuals have since been arrested, including the lorry owner Samuel Mwangi and the driver David Gachora.

Mwangi’s name was flagged in the criminal database in connection to other similar crimes. According to the criminal database, detectives established he has a history of ferrying stolen livestock and has a similar case pending at the Mavoko Law Courts.

Njenga who also goes by the name ‘Sonko’ was arrested after forensic investigations placed him in the middle of a raid that took place at a Maasai manyatta in Athi River on December 16, 2021, where livestock estimated to be Sh1 million worth was stolen.

Investigations conducted by a multi-agency team comprising the elite Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau in conjunction with Athi River-based detectives established that the cattle stolen on that night raid were driven to Dagoretti slaughterhouse.

On some unique occasions, some cattle are slaughtered away from the slaughterhouse in the bush, then transported straight to the ‘nyama choma’ joints in the city obviously skipping inspection.

Njenga has successfully operated his unscrupulous trade, enriching himself from other peoples’ sweat and blood as he lives large while the cattle owners continue suffering losses.

The detectives are looking forward to making more arrests as the suspects in custody are helping with the investigations and are expected to reveal more names involved in their trade.