Mob storms police post, kills then burns suspected thug in Kapenguria
Business came to a standstill in Makutano Township, Kapenguria on Wednesday evening after a mob killed and later burnt a middle aged man suspected to be a thug.
The man, who was being detained at Makutano police post, was being transferred to Kapenguria police station before angry residents stormed the police post, pulled the suspect from the police and killed him. Youth and women are said to have burnt the body with polythene papers, rugs and sacks afterward.
“An irate mob numbering about 700 which had regrouped around the post forcefully pulled the suspect as he was boarding the station motor vehicle registration number GK B 219 T Toyota Land cruiser. They immediately started beating him up using stones and pieces of wood until he died about 100 metres away from the post, Kapenguria Officer Commanding Police Station [OCPD] Kipkoech Kirui said.
Efforts by police officers present to control the mob were unsuccessful.
“The police tried to restrain but the public overpowered the police. In the process, officers sustained injuries as follows: (1) No.81463 Cpl Ali Mohammed suffered a brushed left wrist and also his mobile phone made Techno 19 valued at Kshs. 24,000/- was snatched,(2) No. 259296 Pc Bare Aden lost one tooth, (3) No. 118674 Pc Juma Dalo was injured on the right rib area and both knees,” he said.
Kirui urged locals to not take matters into their own hands and instead leave relevant authorities to handle such matters.
“In case of any suspect just report to the police. Let’s cooperate because we are trying to end theft,” he said.
Hundreds of residents who turned up to witness the incident claimed that the man was a notorious criminal as he had killed a student of Pser secondary school who was dumped in Cherangany a few days ago.
The deceased is also suspected to have been a member of a gang, believed to be stealing motorbikes and killing people in the town.
The body has been moved to Kapenguria county referral hospital mortuary pending a postmortem.