Two arrested suspects with the recovered donkeys inside a lorry along the Nairobi - Garissa highway in Kanyonyo, Machakos county on September 28, 2025.Police said the duo was arrested after a multi-agency team intercepted a lorry of Isuzu make that was transporting the 31 donkeys along the busy Nairobi – Garissa highway on Sunday. The motor vehicle was also impounded during the operation.
The suspects and donkeys were later handed over to a multi-agency team based in Ijara, Garissa county.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, established that the donkeys had been stolen earlier from Garsweino location in Fafi Sub-County, Garissa county.
The two have been held at the Masalani Police Station awaiting to be arraigned in court today, Monday.
Police said the recovered donkeys were detained at the same station pending identification and hand over to their rightful owners.
The National Police Service has commended the vigilance of multi-agency teams involved in the operation and reaffirmed its commitment to serving and protecting the public.
The donkeys were recovered hours after several goats were equally recovered in another stock theft incident in Meru county.
Police officers from Kathare Police Station, in collaboration with National Police Reservists from Buuri East and Isiolo, conducted an intelligence-led operation following the theft of livestock.
During the operation, the officers exchanged fire with the suspects, subdued them, and successfully recovered all the animals.
The livestock were later escorted to Kathare Police Station and returned to their rightful owners.
Police said efforts were underway to pursue and apprehend the suspects who remain at large.
The National Police Service commends the swift action of the officers involved and reiterates its commitment to combating livestock theft and safeguarding livelihoods.
Members of the public are encouraged to continue cooperating with security agencies by promptly reporting any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the toll-free hotlines
Twenty donkeys were on September 22, 2025 recovered after they were reportedly stolen from Syokimau, Machakos County.
The animals, 11 females and nine males, were intercepted along the Ngelani–Katani road in Katani location, Athi River sub-county, after a suspect abandoned them and fled the scene.
According to a police report filed at Mavoko Police Station, a village elder reported the incident at around 4.30pm as a case of stock theft and recovery. The donkeys were found being escorted towards Katani before the suspect disappeared, leaving them unattended.
Police officers who responded to the scene confirmed the recovery and escorted the animals to the station. They noted that all 20 donkeys bore different identifying marks. The animals are being held at the station awaiting identification and formal handover to their rightful owner.
The recoveries come amid rising cases of livestock theft in Machakos and neighbouring regions. Donkeys, in particular, have been frequent targets, with many stolen animals later found slaughtered, often in thickets or abandoned sites.
In December 2023, detectives in Embu raided a homestead in Kajekeru village, where they found 20 freshly slaughtered donkey carcasses, a vehicle, and slaughter tools.
Three suspects were arrested and charged, while one carcass was recovered intact.
In May 2025, authorities in Narok Central sub-county arrested two people illegally herding 69 donkeys without permits. The animals were suspected to have been stolen from the Ololopil area.
The Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) has also been working to curb the illegal donkey trade. In November 2024, it rescued 203 donkeys in two separate operations, providing them with food, vaccinations, and new homes.
