Security authorities in parts of the South Rift region are grappling with the emergence of a meat black market syndicate that is believed to be behind frequent livestock thefts in the region.
The authorities believe that well-connected cartels engineer thefts of livestock whose meat later finds its way into butcheries in various towns in the region.
In the most recent incident, police officers in Bahati unearthed a syndicate behind the theft of livestock whose meat they established finds its way to butcheries in Nakuru town and its environs.
According to police boss Edward Wafula, officers acting on a tip-off from members of the public arrested seven suspects believed to be behind the illegal business.
“We have established that the criminals operate in an elaborate syndicate which involves unscrupulous businessmen involved in operations of butcheries. The cartel also involves people who fund the livestock theft and controls the market channels,” said the police boss.
Mr Wafula further revealed that the suspects have been stealing livestock from various places in Nakuru before selling them to a licensed private slaughterhouse in the town.
Police also confiscated a motor vehicle used in the transportation of the animals.
The suspects have since been charged in a Nakuru County.