For thieves in Nakuru, it seems no item is too small for them to steal.

In the areas of Kaptembwa, Lake view, Bondeni and Machanga there are those residents who have raised alarm over the theft of their chicken. An issue that seems to be a thorn in the flesh of these residents.

Cecilia Njeri, a resident of Kaptembwa says that she used to keep chicken a while back and after her six chicken were stolen she gave up on it.

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" I had bought five hens and a cock for the purposes of laying eggs so that at least I could make some money on the side. I remember I bought them in the first week of December but two weeks later, as the festive season approached, I woke up early morning in disbelief as the chicken were all gone," she said in shock.

Another resident, Felix Kosgei explains how for him the experience left him traumatized.

"I remember waking up in the morning and finding an extra padlock on my door in addition to the one I already put before sleeping. So I cut it and when I went inside, I found that all my five chicken were stolen," he said.

Kosgei continues to say that many of these thieves employ different tactics to ensure they do not get caught.

An example is that of locking people in their houses from the outside to ensure you don't get out to confront them.

Some of the chicken kept by a chicken farmer in Lake view Nakuru County.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

"Another method is they drug you and render you unconscious so that you may not be able to hear what they are doing," he adds.

According to Kosgei, whenever the thieves steal these chicken, they do not sell them around town. Rather, they take them to Rhonda Market and sell them at throw away prices.

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"You will find that they will sell a chicken that goes for sh. 1200 at sh. 800 so that they make quick money out of it. There are also those who take the chicken as far as Molo and Njoro," he said.

Rhonda Market is well known in Nakuru and has the largest market for chicken with sellers in bicycles, motorbikes and even cars all selling this loved bird.

The main incentive here is the cheap prices that the sellers offer. They are also flexible in that they can even slaughter it for you and for those who would want it cooked for them, such a request can be made

Kosgei concludes by saying that, “We find reporting such matters to the police as futile since we are always told that investigation is being done and yet we don't see anything happening.”

Speaking to Nakuru Town West OCPD Francis Wahome he notes that it is important for the residents to always come out and report such matters as that is the only way a solution to this can come about.

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"In the event you report such a matter to the police and see that it is not being handled in the right manner, you can always come to the station and make a follow up as that will enable us to follow up with the officer investigating the matter and hold them accountable " he said.

For the residents who keep chicken, their only prayer is that they do not become victims.

sanyabret@gmail.com

Nakuru thieves turn to chicken stealing and selling business

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Bret Sanya