A suspected livestock theft ring has been exposed in Mombasa, where stolen cattle were being butchered in unauthorized bush abattoirs before the meat uninspected and potentially unsafe was distributed to local markets.

Seven individuals were apprehended over the weekend in Bombo, Utange area of Kisauni Sub-County, after security personnel raided the scene and caught them slaughtering three cows believed to have been stolen.

The crackdown comes amid a surge in livestock theft cases across the region, which have sparked widespread concern among residents and raised questions about public safety and food hygiene.

“We are no longer shocked when animals disappear. It’s become a weekly occurrence. My goats were stolen recently, and nothing has been done. The government must step in more aggressively,” said Mariam Ismail Swaleh, a resident of Bombo and Barawa.

Kisauni Deputy County Commissioner Jamleck Mbuba confirmed that the arrests were the result of heightened surveillance and tip-offs from members of the community.

“They’ve been slipping through our fingers, but today, their time was up,” Mbuba remarked at the scene of the arrests.

He urged locals to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, emphasizing the dangers of consuming meat from illegal sources.

“These animals were slaughtered in an unhygienic and unauthorized location. Our public health and veterinary officers have confirmed that no inspections were carried out. This meat is unfit for human consumption,” he said.

County Veterinary Officer Dr. Junis Mwita described the slaughter site as hazardous, pointing out that it lacked even the most basic hygiene standards.

“There is no licensed slaughterhouse in this area, which means any meat being sold locally from such operations is illegal. All legal butcheries must have a public health permit, and their meat should be certified with an inspection stamp. We urge consumers to ask for these credentials,” Dr. Mwita advised.

The detained suspects are being held as investigations continue into their possible involvement in a broader criminal network dealing in stolen livestock and unregulated meat distribution.

Authorities have vowed to ramp up patrols in livestock theft hotspots and enforce curfews on animal movement to curb the illicit trade.

They also reiterated that all meat sold in the region must originate from authorized facilities and undergo thorough health checks to ensure consumer safety.