Residents of Nangili village in Likuyani Sub County have razed down three houses belonging to one family for allegedly harbouring criminals. Before torching the houses , the villagers held a peaceful demonstration, accusing security agencies of laxity and compromising with criminal suspects in the area.
“The locals have persevered with the thugs from one family for a long period of time,” claimed one of the villagers, who accused police officers of failing to act on several complaints filed by some of the affected victims. The accused homestead belongs to Mzee Japheth Sitati.
Our source, who sought anonymity, cited an incident in which Sitati’s two sons were caught with stolen chicken before they were frogmarched to Matunda Police Station, where it is alleged they were set free.
According to the locals, a week later after being released from custody, the same boys were arrested for stealing and roasting a sheep belonging to a local resident.
“The latest incident incited villagers into taking the law into hands, hence razing of the three houses, one belonging to the old man, while the rest are occupied by the sons who are suspected criminals,” added the source. Mrs Everlyn Oketch claimed the suspects had destroyed her barbed wire fence.
“They destroyed my fence time and again and used wooden posts from the fence to roast meat,” alleged Mrs Oketch.
But speaking to the media separately, the 75-year-old Mzee Sitati regretted and condemned the torching incident, saying as a person, he had never been involved in any criminal activity but admitted he had heard several complaints about his sons’ involvement with the vice.
“The mob should have instead spared my house,” remarked Mzee Sitati, adding he escaped death narrowly. According to Sitati, at the time when the house was being torched, he was inside taking an afternoon nap. “Now I am left in the cold counting losses,” cried the old man.
Likuyani Officer Commanding Police Station (OCPD), Mr. Meshack Kiptum denied claims of compromising criminals.
“Some reported cases fail to meet the threshold for court process due to lack of incriminating evidence or witnesses who are ready to testify against the suspects,” explained Kiptum.
