The incident occurred at around 3am on Thursday when four suspects allegedly raided the factory and attempted to steal eight bags of coffee from a drying area.
Two suspects have been arrested while two others escaped following an attempted theft of coffee valued at over Ksh.1 million at Ngungu Grower Coffee Society in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County.
TwoAccording to the society's chairperson, Ruth Wanjiru Maina, the suspects were intercepted while loading the coffee after two night guards raised the alarm, attracting residents from Ngungu and neighbouring villages.
The guards reportedly fled to seek assistance after discovering the intruders, prompting residents to rush to the factory and confront the suspects.
Peter Maina, a resident of Riakithiga, said the suspects had arrived at the factory on an electric motorcycle, which allowed them to approach the premises without attracting attention.
"The electric motorcycle was silent. They arrived here unheard because an electric motorcycle does not make noise," one of the guards said.
Residents managed to apprehend two suspects, while their two accomplices escaped during the confrontation.
According to Maina, the arrested suspects claimed to be from Karumandi and Ngungu, while those who escaped were reportedly from Kiangothe and Ithareini.
One of the suspects who escaped was alleged to have been acting as a broker in the coffee theft operation.
