Police Recover 60 Stolen Animals From Forest

The East African Standard (Nairobi)
May 2, 2005
Masinde Kusimba
Nairobi

Over 500 heavily armed security personnel combed the expansive Kapolet Forest along the West Pokot-Trans Nzoia border and recovered 60 stolen animals last weekend.

The officers were pursuing over 150 bandits who raided villages in the area last week and stole over 300 animals. The security team, which was led by Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Kimetto, brought to 95 the total number of animals recovered in the last three days. The animals were driven to Aruba Chief's camp awaiting identification by their rightful owners.

Six people, among them two boys who were found looking after the stolen animals, were arrested.

An AK-47 rifle that was left behind by the fleeing raiders was recovered.

The personnel who conducted the operation were drawn from the GSU, regular police, Kenya police Reserve, Anti-Stock Theft Unit and the Administration Police. They were reinforcements called in from Turkana, Nakuru, Eldoret, Keiyo and Kitale.

The forces were divided into five units and approached the forest from different sides.

Kapolet Forest, which covers over 30,000 acres, has often been used as a hideout for bandits and other criminals.

Owing to the rough terrain in Kapolet, bandits often find it a safe place to hide as security personnel do not follow them deep into the forest.

For many years bandits have raided homes in Trans Nzoia District and escaped into the sanctuary of Kapolet. "We have sealed all exit routes from the forest and we believe we shall smoke them out this time," said Kimetto.

The latest attack occurred a week after President Kibaki toured the North Rift and spoke out against stock theft.