At least four people have been killed in separate mob lynching incidents in Machakos and Nyamira counties following allegations of theft, prompting police investigations and renewed calls against mob justice.
The first incident occurred in Mlolongo, Machakos County, where two men were attacked and stoned to death by an angry mob over claims that they were thieves. Police officers responding to distress calls said they arrived at the scene to find the victims with severe head injuries. The two were rushed to hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies were later taken to the local mortuary awaiting identification and postmortem examination.
According to the authorities, the mob dispersed upon noticing the police approaching, making it difficult to identify those involved in the assault. A murder probe has been launched, with officers warning that anyone found to have participated in the attack will face prosecution for murder.
In a separate incident in Kebirigo, Nyamira County, two men were lynched in Kianyabongere village after being accused of vandalizing Kenya Power cables meant for the Last Mile Connectivity Project. The deceased, identified as Jones Osoro, 25, and Fred Matasi, 35, were reportedly caught with assorted electric cables before being stoned to death and their bodies set ablaze. Police recovered the cables at the scene and moved the remains to the mortuary for autopsy as investigations continue.
Police have condemned the incidents, reiterating that mob justice is a criminal act. They urged members of the public to report suspects to authorities instead of taking the law into their own hands. Law enforcement agencies say those involved in such acts will face murder charges as part of efforts to curb the rising trend of mob lynching across the country.
Analysts argue that the increase in vigilante attacks reflects growing frustration among residents who feel that police often fail to respond promptly or effectively to crime in both rural and urban areas. However, authorities maintain that community members must cooperate with law enforcement rather than resort to violence.
In a related case in Cherengany, Trans Nzoia County, a 32-year-old man, Amos Kipruto, died after allegedly being beaten by locals who accused him of stealing maize from his uncle. Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects as investigations into the fatal assault continue.
