Mob storms police post, kills and burns suspected thug

Kapenguria Thursday April 13, 2023

K.N.A By Richard Muhambe

Business at Makutano Centre in Kapenguria Town on Wednesday evening came to a standstill after an irate mob pulled a suspect from the police vehicle, stoned him to death and then set his body ablaze.

The man suspected to be a notorious thug had been arrested by the police and taken to Makutano police post.

The residents however stormed the police post, overpowered the officers and killed the suspect.

Hundreds of residents who dashed to the area after hearing several gunshots claimed that the man was a notorious criminal who had been terrorizing innocent people with the latest of his victims being a student at Pser Secondary School who was found dead and dumped in Cherangany a few days ago.

The agitated residents alleged that the suspect was among the gang that was stealing

motorbikes and killing people in the town.

Police officers led by Kapenguria Officer Commanding Police Station (OCS) Kipkoech Kirui later arrived at the scene and stopped the burning of the body.

“It was reported that a murder suspect namely Samuel Kemoi Wamalwa aged 25 years who was temporarily being held at the post pending collection by DCI Trans-Nzoia East vide CR 812/173/23 was released to be escorted to Kapenguria police station cells,” said Kirui.

Kirui noted that an irate mob numbering about 700 which had regrouped around the post forcefully pulled the suspect as he was boarding the station police vehicle.

“They immediately started beating him up using stones and pieces of wood until he died about 100 metres away from the post,” said the OCS.

The OCS explained that efforts by police officers present to control the irate mob were futile.

“The police tried to restrain but the public overpowered them. In the process, officers sustained injuries with one losing his Techno 19 mobile phone valued at Sh 24,000. Another officer lost his tooth with the third one suffering a right rib injury and both knees,” he said.

Kirui pointed out that the mob further damaged the police vehicle as well as a private vehicle adding: “A total of 19 rounds of 7.62 mm special and 2 rounds of 7.62 mm ordinary bullets were fired in the air to scare the stubborn mob,” said Kirui adding the body was moved to Kapenguria County Referral hospital mortuary pending a postmortem.

The OCS noted that they are conducting investigations into the matter and urged locals not to take law into their hands. “In case of any suspect, just report to the police. Let’s collaborate because we are trying to end theft within this town,” he advised.

Courtesy K.N.A