A 28-year-old man is nursing injuries at Matuu Level Four Hospital after he was beaten by an angry mob over allegations of being a thief.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, Yatta OCPD Edward Kipsang, said a resident had spotted the man in one of the plots in Jombas Estate, Matuu Town and when asked what he was looking for, he took off.
“The man took off from the plot without a word, prompting the resident to scream for help. Passers by who were at the estate chased after him, thinking he was a thief who had stolen from the plot,” said Kipsang.
The OCPD said the suspect was beaten up by the residents before police on patrol rescued him from the mob that wanted to lynch him.
The police boss called on the public not to lynch suspects arguing that they can kill an innocent man, as the victim had a hearing impairment and is allegedly mentally challenged, which is yet to be confirmed by the medical team at Matuu hospital.
Kipsang said it was unfortunate that the residents rushed to mob justice instead of interrogating the suspect first, a move which would have enabled them to realise that he had a hearing impairment.