Mob storm police station, kill murder suspect as officers flee
Irate residents of Gachocho village in Murang’a County on Wednesday, July 10, raided a police patrol base, and stoned officers who fled, before dragging a murder suspect out of the cells and murdering him.
The locals said an eye for an eye was the only sure justice for them since they had no faith in the police stationed in the area.
Kigumo police boss Kiprono Tanui said that trouble started on Tuesday night when three brothers quarrelled over a domestic issue, a fight ensued, and one died.
“It is alleged that two brothers ganged up against their sibling and assaulted him, resulting in his death. When the matter was reported, officers were sent to arrest one of the brothers as a prime suspect since the other had fled,” he said.
Mr Tanui added that when neighbours learnt of the incident, they armed themselves with crude weapons and stormed the Gachocho police patrol base, demanding to be handed the suspect in custody.
“Of course, that was an impossible request, and our officers declined. The residents stoned the officers, they even used catapults. The officers manning the patrol base were overwhelmed,” he said.
Mr Tanui identified the dead brothers as Kibugu wa Richard and Maina wa Richard, who was killed at the police post.
He said that as officers fled for dear life, the residents broke into the police cells, dragged the suspect out and stoned him to death.
“When reinforcement arrived, it was too late. Teargas and other crowd control methods were used, but we were unable to rescue the suspect, who, unfortunately, succumbed to injuries inflicted by the mob,” Mr Tanui said.
The rowdy residents attempted to take the body, saying they wanted to bury it in a public cemetery without any ceremony.
“We were able to prevent the residents from taking the body. A postmortem will be done as investigations progress. We have started investigations to establish the people who attacked the police and murdered the suspect. We will make sure we get the other suspect who fled,” he said, adding that the bodies of the two brothers were taken to Murang’a County mortuary.
The family’s spokesman, Elijah Nduati, said: “We are saddened by this turn of events…These brothers have never loved one another and their quarrelling is historical.”
“We now have two bodies to bury and another son hiding and whose fate is uncertain…God, this is raw grief,” he added.
Police boss Catherine Ringera from the neighbouring Kahuro Sub-County said that the missing brother had surrendered at the station in the afternoon.
An advocate of the High Court, Timothy Mwangi, told Nation.Africa that police patrol bases are not gazetted to legally hold suspects.
“Once officers in these patrol bases arrest suspects, they are supposed to transfer them to any nearby gazetted police station. In this case, the suspect who was killed was supposed to have been taken to Kigumo Police Station,” he said.
“Due diligence is supposed to be exercised by police officers once they arrest a suspect linked to serious crime, since they are bound to invite negative emotions from members of the public,” he added.
Area Nyumba Kumi community policing initiative member Martin Mburu said the crowd was enormous for the police to restrain it. He said they were overpowered and ran for their lives.
“It was dramatic. The crowd gained access into the police station and fished out the suspect and murdered him…That is what happens when a society loses trust in the system,” he added.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu said the incident was a shame and called on police officers to always be accountable.
“This is evidence of the collapse of the rule of law. When residents resort to go after suspects in custody and proceed to lynch them outside police stations, it tells a story about how they rate security personnel…it is scaring,” he said.
He said the same frustrations are being experienced in the crop and livestock thefts “where residents tired of waiting for government response have resorted to patrolling their homesteads and shambas and ending up lynching suspects that they nab”.
Mr Nyutu said “Our security officers must get on top of these incidents and give our people a reason to believe in due process instead of resorting to jungle law”.
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.