Two politicians want County Commissioner Felix Watikila to end rampant livestock theft that has caused a big concern in Kajiado East.
Senator Kanar Seki and Kitengela Ward MCA, Paul Matuyia, said on Sunday the commissioner being the chairman of the county security council should stop the menace.
The two who spoke in Kajiado wondered how stolen livestock in the county pass through police roadblocks.
Seki threatened to compel the Senate to summon Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to answer to security issues in Kajiado East should the problem persist.
Five days ago, Watikila banned the transportation of livestock without a movement permit to curb cases of livestock theft that have been rampant in the county.
He spoke during a security meeting with chiefs and security officers in Kajiado where he noted that the government was keen to ensuring residents and all their property were secure.
"No one will be allowed to ferry livestock without a movement permit as we have ascertained that livestock thieves ferry stolen livestock using trucks to different destinations," the commissioner said during the security meeting.
The county commissioner revealed that so far, 12 cases of cattle theft have been reported in Mashuuru and ten suspects who were arrested have been prosecuted in court.
He said in Isinya Sub-County, 13 cases were reported while ten suspects were arrested and their cases are in court.
"Some livestock owners take much time to report livestock theft cases, which in turn becomes difficult for the police and security officers to trace and arrest the suspects and I call upon Kajiado residents to report such cases as soon as they happen for immediate action,” the commissioner said.
Watakila added that they have noted that most livestock theft cases are carried out by residents; either immediate family members, relatives or employees.
The county commissioner also cautioned area chiefs and individuals who negotiate with aggrieved families to drop charges of certain suspects saying it was against the law.
"We are not working with issues to do with clans and tribalism, when a livestock suspect is related to the chief in any way, the chief issues orders to the Officer Commanding Station to release them. Any chief who will be involved in such a situation will be terminated from the office with immediate effect," Watakila warned.
"It is also unfortunate that individuals are turning this into a business venture, whereby the suspect is forced to pay five cows for each cow that he had stolen in an out-of-court settlement. This practice is sabotaging our efforts in the fight against livestock theft as the suspect will be released immediately and he will continue stealing from others," the county commissioner said.
Livestock theft cases have been rampant in Kajiado County for the past three years where residents have complained that the criminal venture has rendered them poor.