A 34-year-old man was lynched by an angry mob in Itithini market, Kalamba Location, for allegedly stealing meat.
The victim is reported to have been found stealing meat from a local butchery on Sunday.
Confirming the incident, Kalamba sub-chief, Mr Nahashon Mumeni, said the victim was caught in the act by the owner of the butchery, who happened to open the butchery earlier than usual.
"The owner of the butchery found the culprit having gathered all the meat in the butchery and put it in a sack and was just finishing a plate of meat he had prepared in the butcher's kitchen," said Mumeni.
The butcher is said to have wrestled the culprit and tied him with a rope before raising alarm.
Traders and residents gathered at the scene and started stoning the culprit before lynching him.
The sub-chief criticised the residents and warned them against taking the law into their hands.
"Criminal cases should be reported to the police and punishments determined in a court of law," said Mumeni.
The victim's body was taken to Machakos Level Five Hospital Mortuary.