The Directorate of Criminal Investigations – DCI, in a statement on Saturday, stated that the butcher who operates a chain of Nyama Choma eateries along the eastern bypass, was detained after he was connected to the disappearance of animals in nearby Machakos county.

“Peter Njenga alias Sonko was detained after forensic examinations connected him to the raid of a Masai manyatta on December 16, last year in Athi River, Machakos county,” the declaration reads.

“During the raid staged in the dead of the night, a herd of livestock valued at over Sh1 million was stolen and packed into a waiting truck

“Detectives from the elite Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, together with Athi River based sleuths have actually given that developed that the livestock were driven to the Dagoretti slaughterhouse, where a ready market for animals including taken animals prospers. In some circumstances, the animals are butchered in the bush and shuttled directly to popular meat joints in the city.

“The 41-year-old mastermind of the prohibited trade that has actually left animals keepers destitute, resides in opulence in Utawala, in the city’s outskirts. The suspect is an established butcher who runs nyama choma eateries, scattered across the city.

“They are located at tactical locations along the eastern bypass in Utawala and Ruiru towns, where city locals and revelers frequent to enjoy mouth-watering nyama choma and other accompaniments.

“Expectedly, the suspect’s butcheries that provide a Kilogram of beef at a highly marked down cost of Sh380, were a beehive of activity when investigators robbed them last evening.

Maina’s arrest came after many complaints from Athi River based herders, following an increase in animals disappearance over the past few months.

After being grilled considering that last night, the suspect has led detectives to his accomplices in the multi-million livestock theft industry. Among the apprehended is the chauffeur of the truck that transported the livestock David Gachora and the truck’s owner Samuel Mwangi.

“After checking out Gachora’s details in our wrongdoer database, detectives established that he has a history of ferrying taken livestock and has a comparable case pending at the Mavoko Law courts. More arrests to follow.”

ToriNG