A 30-year-old man was killed by a mob in Vihiga County on Tuesday night
after he was accused of stealing a chicken and its chicks.
Police confirmed that the body of the deceased, identified as Vincent Ashanji, was found lying by the roadside in Jepses village, Hamisi Sub-county.
Vihiga County Commander said the victim had been
pursued by villagers before being fatally assaulted.
“The deceased reportedly stole a hen and several
chicks belonging to a villager. This attracted the wrath of members of the
public, who pursued him into the night and eventually killed him,” police said
in a statement.
His father, Timothy Shakawa, told police that
the deceased had a history of petty theft and lived alone after his wife and
children left.
Police officers processed the scene and noted visible blunt injuries on the body before moving it to Vihiga County Funeral Home for a post-mortem.
The matter is under investigation by the Directorate of
Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Meanwhile, in Kakamega County, chaos erupted
in Harambee township after hundreds of boda boda riders and residents
reportedly set ablaze the house of a man they accused of criminal activities.
Police said the mob, estimated at more than
1,000 people, torched the residence of Hussein Mohsen Hosen. Property of
unknown value was destroyed in the fire.
During the incident, a 20-year-old man
identified as Joseph Ouma Masinde, said to be an employee at the residence, was
assaulted by the crowd. He was rescued by police officers and rushed to Bungoma
County Referral Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
Authorities said the extent of the damage is
yet to be established, and investigations are ongoing.
