Suspected thug lynched in Witeithie, Juja

A suspected thug was lynched by a mob in Witeithie, Juja subcounty in Kiambu, on Thursday morning.

The suspect is said to have been in the company of others when they accosted two women who were heading to the market around 5am.

The victims raised the alarm and residents responded to the distress call in hoards. 

They nabbed one of the criminals and subjected him to a thorough beating before lynching him while his accomplices managed to escape.

Mathew Weru, a resident, said the victims were heading to the market where they operate but were accosted by the gang near Molo Chemist.

“One of the women grabbed one of the gangsters and raised the alarm. As the accomplices fled, a mob responded immediately and stoned the deceased to death,” he said.

Witeithie residents in Juja subcounty have raised the alarm over the surging crime rates in the estate perpetrated by a gang of young criminals.

The group is said to terrorise residents from as early as 7pm and morning hours, with traders operating at the Witeithie market being the major victims.

Residents said the knife-wielding gang has been mercilessly mugging residents, breaking into shops and robbing traders of money and other valuables.

“They have also developed a tendency of waylaying revelers and mugging them before beating them mercilessly with crude weapons,” a resident, Solomon Njau, said.

"We are living at the mercies of this ruthless gang of youngsters who are moving in a group of about 15."

Njau said in a span of three weeks about 20 residents have found themselves in the hands of the criminals, with most losing money, phones and other valuables.

“Most of the victims are healing from knife stab wounds. We are worried because these marauding criminals are taking control of the vast estate,” resident Eunice Kamweru said.

"Knife brandishing gangsters have become the order of the day in Witeithie estate."

The residents called on security operators to up their game and dismantle the criminal gang adding that that they will now take law into their hands should the police fail to restore sanity.

James Wainaina said the police have slept on their job because the criminals are operating within the estate with impunity.

"We suspect that most criminals are well known to the officers and that’s why there are no arrests being made,” he said.

A fortnight ago, Juja subcounty police commander Phyllis Muthoni sent a stern warning to the criminals terrorising residents.

She said their days are numbered and they will be brought to book to face the law.

“We will leave no stone unturned until we apprehend and prosecute those disrupting the peace of residents,” Muthoni said.

The police boss said they have increased patrols within the estate to ensure security is enhanced especially during this festive season.

She spoke at Witeithie police post after officers nabbed bhang worth Sh300,000 at Muthara village in the subcounty.