A man was on Wednesday evening attacked, killed and burnt by a mob at Makutano Police post in Kapenguria, West Pokot.
The attack happened as the police were preparing to transfer the suspected thief to the Kapenguria police station.
He had been arrested for allegedly killing a student of Pser secondary school and dumping his body in the Cherangany area a few days ago.
The deceased is also suspected to have been a member of a gang, believed to be stealing motorbikes and killing people in the town.
Kapenguria OCPD Kipkoech Kirui said they tried to contain the mob to no avail, adding that officers were injured during the commotion.
Narrating the incident, the OCPD said a mob of about 700 persons, which had regrouped around the post forcefully pulled the suspect as he was boarding the station Toyota Land cruiser.
"They immediately started beating him up using stones and pieces of wood until he died about 100 meters away from the post," he said.
"Police tried to restrain but the public overpowered the police. In the process, officers sustained injuries as follows: Cpl Ali Mohammed suffered a brushed left wrist and also his mobile phone made Techno 19 valued at Sh24,000 was snatched, Pc Bare Aden lost one tooth and Pc Juma Dalo was injured on the right rib area and both knees."
Kirui urged the locals to let the police handle such matters, warning them against taking the law into their hands.
"In case of any suspect just report to the police. Let's cooperate because we are trying to end theft," he said.
A witness to the incident urged the youth to look for jobs, including menial ones, to keep them busy and earn them a living.
The body has since been moved to Kapenguria County referral hospital mortuary pending a postmortem.
