Cow Stolen Before Christmas Feast, Leaving 200 Kirinyaga Villagers Without Meat
It was temporarily kept at the home of group elder Stephen Karani, regarded as the most trusted member of the team. However, the cow was stolen that same night
More than 200 residents of Kegwa Village in Njuki-ini Ward, Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, have been left devastated after a cow they had jointly purchased for their annual Christmas celebrations was stolen and slaughtered by unknown individuals
According to Keigwa Ugaciku ‘B’ Group treasurer, James Muriithi Ndambiri, the group had bought the cow on Monday in Gathoge Village for Ksh.50,000
It was temporarily kept at the home of group elder Stephen Karani, regarded as the most trusted member of the team. However, the cow was stolen that same night
“It is unfortunate that the cow was stolen and slaughtered just 200 metres from his house, inside his coffee plantation. These are daring thieves,” Ndambiri said
The group, which contributes Ksh.150 monthly from January to December to fund the annual purchase, now faces a double loss having lost the cow and still owing the seller Ksh.7,000
Veteran member Mzee Ernest Kiathane said the incident had deeply affected the community, especially children who look forward to the feast each year
“It is sad because the owner allowed us to take the cow even though we had only paid Ksh.43,000. We still owe him Ksh.7,000, and we must settle the balance despite the theft,” he noted
Members James Njagi and Charles Bundi raised concerns over what they described as a surge in livestock theft in Njuki-ini Ward, where thieves have been stealing and slaughtering cows near homesteads
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“Cases of livestock theft have increased sharply. Now they have taken our Christmas cow and slaughtered it just 200 metres from Mzee Karani’s home. Authorities must investigate these incidents,” Njagi said
A similar incident occurred in December 2023 in Ngiriambu, where another self-help group lost a cow purchased through monthly contributions
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru eventually stepped in and replaced the stolen animal
The members of Keigwa Group are now appealing to Governor Waiguru to intervene once again and help ensure their Christmas celebrations are not ruined
Police in Kirinyaga East Sub-County say investigations are underway and efforts have been intensified to track down the suspects
Writer : Mweru Mbugua
