A 63-year-old woman tragically lost her life in a house fire in Lunyinya area of Kakamega County. The incident occurred on the morning of June 25, when neighbours reported hearing a loud bang coming from the home where the woman, identified as Florence Katera, was asleep. Shortly afterward, flames engulfed the house.
Katera was reportedly living alone in a permanent house. Despite efforts by the county government’s fire department, who responded and managed to extinguish the blaze, the woman’s lifeless body was discovered in the debris. Inside her bedroom, police found the remains of a six-kilogram gas cylinder and a plate, suggesting the fire may have originated there. However, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue. Her body has been taken to the local mortuary for autopsy and further examination.
Elsewhere in the country, two separate mob justice incidents claimed the lives of suspected criminals. In Vigurungani, Kilifi County, an unidentified man was killed by a mob after reportedly attempting a robbery. Witnesses said the suspect was stoned before his body was set ablaze. Police responded to the scene and moved the body to a nearby mortuary. The individuals responsible for the mob attack remain unknown, and authorities are investigating.
A similar incident occurred in Kilgoris, Narok County, where another man was killed after being accused of stealing 37 chickens from a homestead in Nyasita sub-location. The suspect, part of a group of three, had reportedly broken into a chicken pen and stolen poultry before being attacked. He suffered a fatal spear wound and was pronounced dead at the hospital where he had been rushed. Three chickens were recovered from his bag, while his accomplices fled with the remainder.
Law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt for the suspects who escaped. The deceased’s body was transferred to the mortuary pending further investigations.
These latest incidents add to the growing concerns over mob justice in Kenya. Authorities and civil society have repeatedly urged communities to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, emphasizing the importance of due process and law enforcement. Cases of lynching have been on the rise in various parts of the country, highlighting a worrying trend that officials are keen to address through awareness campaigns and stricter policing.
