Nairobi — Senator Samson Cherargei of Nandi, now in his second term, has introduced a stringent set of regulations aimed at curbing livestock rustling. The proposed Prevention of Livestock and Produce Theft Bill seeks to impose life imprisonment on offenders who use violence while stealing livestock. “This is a piece of legislation that aims to prevent, combat, and eradicate livestock theft in Kenya,” the senator said.
The bill outlines severe penalties for a range of offenses related to livestock and produce theft. Anyone found guilty of stealing livestock or produce, receiving stolen goods, or entering enclosed land with the intent to steal will face a minimum of twenty years’ imprisonment. Offenses involving the sale or trade of livestock between 6:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. could result in up to twelve months in jail, a fine of up to 800,000 shillings, or both.
Additional provisions target the misuse of livestock branding. Using an unregistered brand, failing to apply for registration, neglecting to brand livestock, or branding with an unregistered mark may lead to up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to 100,000 shillings, or both. More serious branding offenses—such as branding another person’s livestock with an incorrect brand, or altering or defacing a brand to conceal identification—carry penalties of up to fourteen years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to one million shillings, or both.
The bill also addresses the illegal transport of livestock and produce. Driving, conveying, or transporting these goods on public roads without proper authority, or without the required identification documents and removal permits, could result in up to seven years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 500,000 shillings, or both.
Cherargei emphasized that, if enacted, the Act would regulate livestock owners’ activities, facilitate the disarmament and return of illegally acquired firearms and ammunition, and significantly reduce or eliminate the banditry associated with animal theft. “When this law shall be in place for sure animal theft shall be dealt with accordingly thus the banditry menace will reduce or end completely,” he said.
Comments are closed for this story.