Farmers from Kinangop in Nyandarua county have been having sleepless nights over rising cases of cattle rustling in the last couple of weeks.
The most affected are farmers from Magumu ward where a well-organised gang has been striking nearly every night.
The situation has been made worse by cases of theft of farm produce.
Speaking after a crisis security meeting, the irate farmers said more than 50 cattle and sheep had been stolen in the last two weeks.
One of the area's leaders, John Ndemenge, said the theft had negatively affected farmers who rely on animals and farm produce.
He urged the government to address the issue of insecurity in the area.
“We are calling for anti-stock theft officers to be posted to this area,” he said.
Victim Joseph Njuguna said they suspect livestock traders are involved in the illegal trade. He claimed that some suspects had been arrested and later released under unclear circumstances.
“We are grateful for the assistance of the chiefs and their assistants but the cases continue to rise by the day,” he said.
Esther Njuguna narrated how the rustlers gained access to her compound through the fence before making away with her only dairy cow.
“This cow was our only source of livelihood and this gang is striking every day targeting dairy cattle and in some cases farm produce,” she said.
Farm worker Antony Mwangi said he arrived on duty to find three dairy cows missing. Only one has been recovered, he said.
A senior officer from Magumu police, who declined to be named, said they had in the past arrested some suspects and arraigned them at the Naivasha law courts.
