Josphat Kimathi, a suspected goat thief, was having lunch at a hotel in Laare-Igembe, Meru county, when Mr. Kirimi, the owner of the stolen goat, confronted him.
Mr. Kirimi told Baite Tv that the suspect had stolen the goat earlier and had left its kid behind. He had stolen the kid again when he was apprehended. He had been following him, and when the suspect realized he was being followed, he let the kid go before entering the hotel.
When confronted, the suspect fought him off and pulled his belt, according to the owner.
According to the suspect, the owner gave him the option of being taken to the police station or the market to confirm the accusations first.
The suspect chose to confirm the theft at the market offices and records revealed that it had been reported to the police. He pleaded with the owner to turn him over to the police, and if the evidence proved that he stole the goat, he offered two goats as payment.
Another witness stated that the suspect had previously sold her the stolen goat, only to be caught off guard when Kirimi, the owner, arrived while she was tying it to a tree. She was about to be apprehended, but she promised to call the police if she saw the suspect. She had to return the goat to its owner.
Another eyewitness said: “In the market, there is a cartel of goat thieves who prey on new customers. For example, when an elderly lady arrives at the goat market, they trick her into thinking they are the owners.
The lady pays for the goat and instructs them to watch it while she goes to get buy a rope only to find they’ve gotten away with the goat and the money by the time she returns.
One such incident occurred when I purchased a goat from a thief. When the owner discovered it with me, I was arrested and taken to the police station. I gave up the goat to the owner.”
