BY ALBERT NYAKUNDI
A man in his mid-thirties has been arrested for slaughtering a dog in Mukui village,Maara sub-county.
Area Chief Miriti Muthengi confirmed the incident and termed it criminal.
He told Hot News on phone.
Muthengi said he was tipped by locals before he decided to involve village elders.
“I decided to involve the police from Ntumu police station who found the dog’s skin and intestines dumped in a nearby river.” he said.
The chief said the suspect only identified as Mwirigi is a known criminal who smokes and sells bhang.
He said Mwirigi also brews illicit liquor for sale.
The Administrator dismissed claims that food shortage in the village led Mwirigi to slaughter his dog.
“This is a criminal act. The area is rich in food”. Muthengi said.
The chief denied laxity on his part in fighting crime.
The Mukui location chief said Mwirigi intended to sell the dog meat to unsuspecting villagers.
The Meat Control Act does not list dog meat as food in Kenya.
Muthengi said Mwirigi told him that his dog was eating his neighbors’ chicken, so he decided to kill it.
Residents who spoke to Hot News in confidence faulted the local administration of protecting Mwirigi.
They said he is a well-known criminal.
The Professional Criminologists Association of Kenya founding chairman Munene Mugambi said he learnt about Mwirigi through the media.
He said the system should focus on prevention rather than being reactive.
“I appeal to the local administration to get proactive in gathering intelligence and working closely with the police to prevent crime.” Mugambi said.
He said local brews and drug abuse among the youth should be firmly addressed.
He called on the local community to support the fight against crime.
Last year,Martin Munene from Karimba village in the same county slaughtered a dog and cooked it.
He said he was starving.
He was arrested but later the DPP Nordin Haji ordered for his release.
Haji through a tweet directed the County Criminal Investigations boss to liaise with the County Commissioner to provide food to Munene.