Police in Ndhiwa are looking for suspects who stole cattle at Kuoyo village in Odhiambo-Rambo location on Saturday night.
Police commander Paul Rioba said residents accused the suspects of stealing and slaughtering the cattle for sale.
Angry villagers on Sunday afternoon torched six houses in three different homesteads after their owners were accused of being behind the theft of cattle in Homa Bay and Migori.
Some of the residents were armed with crude weapons like machetes and spears.
On Saturday night, a group of suspected criminals raided homes in Kadem, Migori county, and stole eight herds of cattle.
Farmers from Kanyatodo in Ndhiwa also reported their animals missing.
Residents in the affected areas urged the government to increase surveillance to cushion them from the rampant vice.
According to North Kaganda sub-location assistant chief Netto Otieno, the suspects used a pick-up to ferry three bulls from Kadem.
They drove to Kalamindi village and dropped one of the animals at a homestead. They later slaughtered it to sell the meat.
Residents mobilised themselves and traced the suspects after a tip-off.
“The home where the suspects were caught slaughtering one of the bulls belonged to a grandmother,” Otieno said.
"The mob confronted the suspects who managed to escape leaving the slaughtered bull."
Akech said the residents decided to torch the six houses associated with the suspects and also destroyed maize crops and other properties.
“They managed to recover eight cattle including the one that was slaughtered and they were taken to Ndhiwa police station as investigations began,” the administrator said.
One suspect was arrested and detained at Ndhiwa police station.
Otieno warned members of the public against use of mob justice to retrieve their stolen animals.
On Monday, Rioba said they are following some crucial leads on the whereabouts of the suspects.
“Let them surrender to the police because those who are hiding will be arrested and charged,” Rioba said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
