Two suspected thieves were on Sunday morning lynched by members of the public after a failed robbery attempt at a home in Matungulu, Machakos county.
Matungulu subcounty police commander Peter Omondi said the suspects were cornered as they attempted to flee from the house they had stolen from at Mutalia village in Koma sublocation in the wee hours of Sunday.
"At around 4.30am while people were asleep, three suspected thugs broke into a house belonging to a lady. They stole three laptops and some electronic goods. But while they were moving away with the items, the woman raised alarm," Omondi told the Star on phone.
He said the incident was reported to KBC police station, Matungulu subcounty police division.
"Neighbours woke up and alerted the rest of the residents who cornered one of the suspects. In the process, the suspect was beaten and he succumbed to injuries," Omondi said.
The police boss said the hungry members of the public later combed a small thicket nearby and found the second suspect who was limping.
"He was brought back to the house where they had stolen from and the victim positively identified him. Members of the public also lynched the suspect who equally succumbed to his injuries," Omondi said.
He said police were in hot pursuit of the third suspect who successfully fled the scene.
Three laptops that had been stolen were recovered while the other household items including electronics were found abandoned in the neighbourhood.
Omondi said police moved the bodies to Kangundo Level Four Hospital mortuary awaiting identification. He said police have launched investigations into the incident.
Omondi cautioned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
"I tell members of the public not to take law into their own hands. Police are there. Call police whenever you are in such situations so that justice can take its course," Omondi said.
