Two suspected thieves were killed in Nyali, Mombasa County, on Monday after falling victim to mob justice. The incident occurred at around 11:00 a.m. on November 3, 2025, when two men riding a motorcycle were chased and assaulted by a crowd on suspicion of stealing mobile phones.
The police were alerted by the public, and officers from the Nyali Police Station responded promptly to the scene. However, by the time they arrived, the suspects had already been severely beaten by the mob. The two men were rushed to Coast General Hospital, but one was pronounced dead upon arrival, while the second, aged 25, succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
According to police, the suspects had allegedly stolen two mobile phones, a Samsung S23+ and a Samsung S24 Ultra, from victims identified as Haqae and Entesar Salate. The thieves had reportedly discarded the phones and their motorcycle, which had the registration number KMGR 299X, in an attempt to escape the mob. After the incident, the stolen phones were recovered and taken to Nyali Police Station for further investigation.
The victims later visited the station to identify their stolen items and gave statements regarding the robbery, which had occurred at Mombasa Posta.
This mob justice case is the latest in a troubling trend of vigilante attacks across Kenya. Authorities have condemned such acts of violence, urging the public to hand over suspected criminals to law enforcement agencies for due process. Unfortunately, there have been instances where innocent individuals were lynched by mobs before their guilt or innocence could be determined.
The bodies of the two deceased suspects were released to their families and buried according to Islamic rites, while police investigations into the incident continue.
In another disturbing development, a man was also lynched in Kobujoi, Nandi County, after a failed robbery attempt. His body was discovered in a tea plantation, and police are conducting investigations into the attack.
Elsewhere, in Kisumu’s Obunga area, a 32-year-old man was stoned to death after being caught stealing household goods. Such incidents highlight the growing concern around mob justice in Kenya, with at least one case being reported daily.
As police work to investigate these cases, they continue to call on the public to resist taking justice into their own hands, stressing that it often leads to tragic outcomes.
