By Bonface

Police in Tseikuru, Kitui, have recovered twenty-two goats that were stolen from a herder in Nzitu village, days after a series of attacks left seven people dead in the area, as security agencies continue operations linked to rising cases of violence.

The National Police Service (NPS) said officers acted after receiving a report from the herder, which led to a response operation targeting the suspects believed to have taken the animals.

According to the police, officers moved to pursue the suspects shortly after the report was filed, but the individuals fled upon noticing the approaching contingent and abandoned the goats at the scene.

Police confirmed that all the animals were recovered and secured, and arrangements were underway to return them to the owner as investigations continue.

The NPS added that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the theft.“Upon receiving the report, police officers responded promptly and pursued the suspects.

On noticing the officers, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning the stolen goats. All the animals were successfully recovered and secured pending handover to the rightful owner. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspects,” the statement read in part.

The recovery comes days after the area faced a series of attacks that police have linked to retaliatory actions between communities. According to the authorities, the pattern of violence has led to loss of lives over a short period.In an earlier statement, the NPS called for calm and urged residents to avoid acts that could escalate tension.

The Service said the sequence of incidents recorded in recent weeks shows a cycle of attacks that require immediate action to prevent further loss of life.

“The chronology of criminal attacks below points to a pattern of retaliatory attacks involving two communities, which must not only be condemned but also stopped immediately,” the police said.

According to police records, the incidents began on March 29, 2026, when a 44-year-old herdsman was killed near Mwingi Game Reserve. The following day, March 30, 2026, four people were killed in what authorities described as a suspected retaliatory attack. The situation escalated further on April 25, 2026, when another attack in the Kwa Kamari area left seven people dead.

The killings prompted a response from senior police leadership, with the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, ordering the deployment of a security team to the affected areas.

Police say the operation aims to restore order, prevent further attacks, and support investigations into the incidents that have been reported. Officers have also increased patrols and engagement with local communities as part of efforts to gather information that could lead to arrests.

Residents have been urged to cooperate with security agencies by providing any information that may assist in tracking suspects involved in both the livestock theft and the attacks.