Residents from Nyaguta sublocation in Kisii county have raised concern over rising cases of stock theft.
The residents told the Star that the increase in such cases began days after the conclusion of campaigns for the August 9 general election.
Unknown people have been storming homes and farms at midnight, stealing cows, hens and bananas.
They said the criminals survey their homes during the day when many are out for work, before storming in at the wee hours to steal.
About a month ago the group raided the homestead of David Miyogo (deceased) in Riang’ombe Nene, where they stole a year-old calf from a cow shed at midnight when the owners were asleep.
On Wednesday last week, community policing members led by Meshack Getenga while acting on a tip off from the public, recovered the calf from a home in the neighbouring Matunwa sublocation.
However, the main suspect where the calf was found escaped upon realising that residents were after him.
It was reported that, the suspected thief had also stolen a goat from the same home, which he had since sold to an unsuspected buyer.
Speaking to the Star, Getenga said they suspect that some youths were engaging in the acts to earn a living because they can no longer get campaign money from politicians as they used to.
“Our people have been raising complaints to us that they have been losing property and animals to thieves who storm their homes at odd hours while they are asleep,” Getengs said.
Affected residents including Catholic catechist Magogo Nyansikera, Linet Kayago, Jason Marube and Moranga Magogo among others called on security agencies to work closely with community policing members and chiefs to arrest the situation.
On Sunday morning, Nyansikera said thieves stormed his home at around 10am while they were in church, and stole two cockerels valued at about Sh3,000 while Linet lost a hen valued at Sh700 the same day at 5am.
“I was shocked when I came home from church only to find two of my cockerels missing. I had planned to sell them and clear fees balance for my child,” Nyansikera said.
“I suspect that most of those who engage in this kind of business are youth who were used to getting money from politicians during campaigns but are unable to feed themselves,” the catechist added.
