Assistant Inspector General of Police Joseph Keitany has urged the public to hand over crime suspects to police for prosecution instead of killing them.
Keitany yesterday said when suspects are killed it becomes very hard for police to find their accomplice for prosecution. He was reacting on the killing of four suspected cattle rustlers in Nyakach of Kisumu County by the public after four cows were stolen from a man's home.
The four from Lower Nyakach division are Kennedy Ochieng (30), Andrew Ochola Otieno (25), Joseph Oyugi (40) and Samson Rawiti Orinda (46).
They were cornered and killed at about 11pm after the cows were stolen from Dalmas Ochieng’s home in Nyalunya location, said Keitany. Keitany warned politicians against accusing communities other than their own of the theft. He said residents are responsible for the vice that has fueled clashes.
He told the press in his Kisumu town office on Thursday that the animals were recovered and the bodies taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.
Keitany told residents they were to blame for the animal theft that fuels clashes along the border, adding that they the ones hiding criminals. The killing comes barely after pledged to name businesspeople linked to cattle rustling along the border of Nandi and Kericho.
Investigations revealed butchers in Kisumu, Kakamega, Mumias and other neighbouring towns are involved in an animal theft racket.
Kisumu county commissioner John Elungata said some rustlers admitted butchers hired them to steal animals for pay. He said the animals are slaughtered immediately they are stolen and transported to the butchers.
The commissioner urged locals to cooperate with police to end criminal activities.