A man was lynched by mob justice at Misikhu market after he was got red-handed with a cow that had been stolen at Matulo village in Webuye West Sub County on Monday night.
According to the owner of the cow Mr. Juma Wandukusi, the animal was stolen at 11:30pm while he was sleeping and he realized when he woke up to go for a short call but when he looked at where the animals were, he discovered that one of his cows was missing and he quickly started searching for it but his efforts hit a snag even after calling his neighbours.
He left the following day at the wee hours to all slaughter houses in Webuye town but still he didn’t see the animal, he opted to go to Kamukuywa market in Kimilili Sub County since it was a market day, but still after searching he couldn’t locate his cow.
After he had given up and was going back home he saw the animal at Misikhu market and made noise which attracted boda boda riders and other people who surrounded the suspect and gave him thorough beatings but since he could not explain where he got the animal he was burned to death.
” I had given up on the search when I located it and had I not made noise the man who had it was about to escape but the boda boda riders helped me out though am saddened that the suspect was killed before he could reveal those who he works with,”said Wandukusi.
He wondered why police officers never appeared at the scene even when they were called several times yet the police station is not far from the scene as he said that the suspect was killed three hours after he had been tied up by the angry mob and if they came in time they would have rescued him hence allow him to name his accomplice.
The Marinda area assistant chief Mrs. Elizabeth Situma tried to intervene to save the culprit but all was in vain as the residents could not hear her but ended up setting the suspect on fire.
” I tried my level best but was overpowered by the crowd who were baying for his blood,” said the area assistant chief.
Some people who sought anonymity said they celebrated the killing of the suspect because most of the time when they are arrested they are later released and continue with their business of stealing their animals and also start threatening those who are perceived to have informed the police.
Juma Wandukusi said Matulo village has become a haven of robbers as more than five animals have been stolen in one week and that he was just lucky to get his and asked the police to check on the security of the place by improving on their patrols at night.
He also accused some boda boda riders who he says their motorbikes have been used in several occasions to transfer stolen animals at night and appealed to police to do thorough investigations over the same so that those who are accomplice to the act can be apprehended as they are not having peace at night.
The suspect had two identity cards in his wallet and the one that was his showed he comes from Matisi in Trans Nzoia County and the residents were shocked on how he could come from distant and get to know where the animals are in the homestead, therefore suspected that the cattle rustlers must be colluding with some villagers and called on Bungoma County CID boss to help in uprooting such characters who are collaborating with thieves.
Due to increase in theft, slaughter house officials in Misikhu market have decided not to slaughter any animal before 8am in the morning so that they can help in curbing the vice for those who use slaughter houses to promote theft.
The body of the deceased was taken by police officers to Webuye County hospital morgue as they launch investigation into the matter.
