Police intensify hunt for gang that stole coffee in Embu

Coffee cherries are poured into a collector for pulping. Police in Embu are piecing together information which can lead to the arrest of gangsters who raided Kiviuvi factory and stole coffee worth more than Sh2.5 million. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Regional Commissioner Wycliffe Ogallo said that those involved must be exposed and apprehended.
  • Mr Ogallo warned that coffee theft in the region where residents earn their living through farming will not be tolerated.
  • Farmers called on the police to pursue the thieves and ensure that the stolen coffee is recovered.

Police in Embu are piecing together information which can lead to the arrest of gangsters who raided Kiviuvi factory and stole coffee worth more than Sh2.5 million.

According to the Regional Commissioner Wycliffe Ogallo, the theft was an inside job.

He said that those involved must be exposed and apprehended.

"Police have crucial leads and very soon suspects will be seized," he told the Nation at his Embu office Wednesday.

Mr Ogallo warned that coffee theft in the region where residents earn their living through farming will not be tolerated.

On Monday, gangsters broke into the factory and stole 75 bags of clean coffee after tying up the lone night watchman.

GUARD TIED UP

The gangsters forced their way into the factory and ordered the guard on night duty to surrender at gun point.

When the gangsters fled, the guard raised the alarm, attracting the attention of neighbours who untied him and reported the matter to the local police station.

Farmers said they were shocked on learning that their coffee which was ready for marketing had been taken away by the gangsters.

They called on the police to pursue the thieves and ensure that the stolen coffee is recovered.

The farmers also said they suspected that the theft was an inside job and asked the police to carry out thorough investigations to establish the truth of the matter.