Three cattle rustlers drowned on Tuesday evening while crossing
River Ewaso Ng'iro with livestock stolen
from Laikipia county.
They drove nine cows that belonged to village elder Lempolio Lekwale
from
Mukogodo forest.
Five of the cows also drowned and the body of one of the thieves was retrieved on Thursday.
Laikipia commissioner Onesmus Musyoki said police and villagers were searching for the other two bodies.
Musyoki said the armed rustlers found the animals grazing in the forest.
"Lekwale is a member of the Nyumba Kumi initiative," he said.
"The three drowned while crossing the swollen river on their way to Lengurma village in Isiolo county. Four of the animals were rescued by police officers who were pursuing them."
He noted the county has become an easy target but added the theft would decline as more
National Police Reservists have been recruited
and trained.