We will work on cattle rustlers until they cry like rats, Gachagua warns
Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has issued a stern warning to cattle rustlers, stating that the “government will work on them until they cry like rats”.
Speaking in Meru County on Saturday, January 27, following William Ruto’s tour in the region where he is launching various development programs, the DP emphasised that the government will not condone people being killed and their cattle stolen by rustlers.
He stated that the government has instructed the National Police Service (NPS), the Police Reservist (NPR), and other security agencies to crack down on the bandits.
Cattle rustling and banditry attacks have adversely affected Kerio Valley, some parts of Meru, and Laikipia.
Recently, Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki overhauled security leadership in the affected regions.
“We will press the bandits and cattle rustlers until they cry like frogs… I have spoken to the county commissioner, and he should be here by Thursday, February 1, 2024, and within three weeks, they should cry like rats so that we save them,” DP Gachagua told Meru residents.
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The second in command expressed confidence in President William Ruto-led government in rooting out bandits and cattle rustlers.
“Ruto’s government is the only regime that will tackle the cattle rustling issue to an end and stop the killing of people. CS Kindiki has made changes in the security leadership in the affected regions, and we are confident we will curb the menace,” explained the DP.
Cattle rustling in Kerio Valley, Laikipia, West Pokot, Turkana, and some parts of Meru County has persisted for a long time.
Dozens of people have died through the attacks and retaliation, posing an insecurity threat that has seemingly overwhelmed the government.
George Natembeya, the current Trans Nzoia Governor, while serving as the Rift Valley Region commissioner, led operations to counterattack the bandits.