A multi-agency security team has evicted hundreds of livestock from Kiptunga Forest during a Saturday operation in Nakuru’s Njoro sub-county.

Kiptunga Forest is the source of the Mara River, which sustains the Mara National Reserve and the Serengeti National Park in Kenya and Tanzania.

Three suspects were arrested in the operation, which involved 127 officers and was led by Narok North Sub County Police Commander Harrison Matheka and Njoro Police Commander Paul Wambugu.

According to a police report, the team included personnel from the Administration Police Service (APS), Kenya Police Service (KPS), General Service Unit (GSU), Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

“The team was divided into three sectors, successfully combing Kiptunga Forest. They recovered 117 heads of cattle and 380 sheep, detaining seven suspects.”

The arrested individuals were taken to Elburgon Police Station and are expected to be arraigned in court on Monday.

Further, police said hundreds of other animals were driven away from the forest, with the grazers fleeing the scene.