A multi-agency security team in Kanyonyo, Kitui County, has intercepted a lorry transporting 31 donkeys believed to have been stolen, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
The operation, carried out on Sunday, September 28, 2025, highlights ongoing efforts to combat livestock theft in the region.
According to authorities, the intercepted vehicle, an Isuzu lorry with registration number KDN 354D, was stopped following intelligence-led surveillance.
Inside the truck, officers discovered 31 donkeys, raising immediate suspicion over the legality of the livestock transportation.
The suspects were unable to provide proper documentation for the animals, prompting their arrest on the spot.
Following the operation, both the suspects and the recovered donkeys were handed over to another multi-agency team based in Ijara, Garissa County.
Preliminary investigations have since revealed that the donkeys had been stolen earlier from Garsweino Location in Fafi Sub-County, Garissa County.
The livestock theft had reportedly caused distress among local farmers, and the recovery is expected to bring relief to the affected community.
The suspects are currently detained at Masalani Police Station, where they are awaiting arraignment in court today, September 29, 2025. Authorities confirmed that the donkeys will remain in detention at the station until the rightful owners can identify and claim them.
Police have assured the public that due process will be followed in both prosecution and restitution.
In a statement released after the operation, the National Police Service (NPS) commended the vigilance and cooperation of the officers involved. The Service emphasized that this success highlights the importance of collaboration across different security agencies in curbing livestock theft and safeguarding rural livelihoods.
“We commend the vigilance of the multi-agency teams involved in this operation and reaffirm our commitment to serving and protecting the public,” read part of the NPS communication.
The interception comes amid ongoing concerns about livestock theft in pastoralist regions, where donkeys, camels, and cattle form a vital part of both economic and social life. While cattle rustling often grabs national headlines, donkey theft has been on the rise due to their value as beasts of burden and their use in transport and farming.