A man accused of livestock theft was brutally killed by a mob in Gathigi-ini village, Murinduko location, Kirinyaga County. The incident, which occurred on Friday, involved a group of angry residents who allegedly set the man ablaze after accusing him of being a notorious cattle thief. He was estimated to be around 35 years old.
Preliminary reports from local authorities suggest that the man had long been suspected of engaging in stock theft within the community. On the day of the attack, residents are said to have spotted him and immediately launched a violent assault, culminating in him being burned alive. By the time police officers arrived at the scene, the man had already been burned beyond recognition.
Crime scene officers from the Kerugoya Police Station documented the area and carried out preliminary investigations. The body was then transferred to the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death and assist with identification.
No arrests have been made in connection with the killing. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident and have urged the public to come forward with any information that might aid in identifying the individuals involved.
This act of vigilante justice is the latest in a troubling rise of mob lynchings reported across various parts of Kenya. The growing trend of communities taking the law into their own hands has led to widespread condemnation and appeals for justice systems to be allowed to function without interference.
Just days before this incident, two men were stoned and set ablaze in Parklands, Nairobi, after being accused of attempting to steal a mobile phone. Witnesses reported that three suspects on a motorcycle had snatched a phone from a woman, but two were cornered and killed by an enraged crowd. A similar occurrence took place in Dandora, Nairobi, where two men were lynched while allegedly riding a motorcycle, suspected of being involved in criminal activities.
In another case in Kileleshwa, a man posing as a county enforcement officer was attacked by a mob after attempting to extort money from local vendors. The suspect was beaten and burned, while a second accomplice survived and was rushed to a hospital.
These grim episodes underscore a growing lack of trust in the justice system and a tendency among some citizens to administer their own form of punishment. Authorities and human rights advocates continue to call for restraint, emphasizing the importance of due process, lawful arrests, and the protection of every individual’s right to a fair trial.
