Meru: Police recover 77 stolen cattle after fierce gunfight with rustlers
By Cynthia Lodite, August 14, 2025Police have recovered at least seventy-seven stolen cattle after a fierce gun fight with rustlers in Meru County.
According to a report by the National Police Service (NPS) on Thursday, August 14, 2025, the security operation involving at least five units of security officers was conducted on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in Tigania East of Meru County.
The National Police has further noted that the five security units recovered the seventy-seven livestock, which were earlier stolen from two residents from Tigania East.
“At approximately 11:00 p.m. yesterday, a well-coordinated security operation involving officers from Kangeta Police Station, the General Service Unit (GSU), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), and National Police Reservists successfully recovered 77 cattle stolen earlier from two residents of Tigania East in Meru County,” NPS stated.
Likewise, NPS has noted that the operation was launched following reports by the victims at Kangeta Police station, which prompted the swift response that led to the interception of the livestock near Ngato Dam.
“The operation was launched after the victims reported the theft at Kangeta Police Station, prompting a swift response. The team tracked the suspects and intercepted them near Ngato Dam,” NPS stated.
Attacks by cattle rustlers
Meanwhile, the National Police Service has also revealed that upon arrival at the dam, the cattle rustlers engaged in a fierce gunfight with the security units; however, noting that the animals were safely recovered.
“Upon confrontation, the cattle rustlers engaged the officers in a fierce gunfight, but the security team subdued the suspects and secured the stolen livestock without losing any animals,” NPS noted.
Following the recapture, the cattle were later transported to Ndomuru Police Station, where the owners positively identified them and also confirmed that all the seventy-seven stolen cattle had been recovered.
On the other hand, the National Police Service has reaffirmed Kenyan’s on the authority’s commitment to sustaining collaborative efforts in safeguarding lives and properties.
“The recovered cattle were transported to Ndomuru Police Station, where the owners positively identified them and confirmed that all 77 had been returned. The National Police Service reaffirms its commitment to sustaining such collaborative efforts to safeguard lives and property,” NPS said.