Five middle-aged men were on Thursday arrested at Mukuyuni market along Machakos-Wote road for allegedly raping a standard seven pupil.

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The residents blocked the busy road demanding that the suspects be released to them for a beating.

The suspects were selling mobile SIM cards in the area when they offered the girl a lift. It is alleged that the suspects raped the girl while in their vehicle and gave her Sh100 so as not to tell anybody.

The girl told the residents about the incident and they threatened to lynch the suspects. Transport along the road was paralysed for three hours when the angry residents blocked the road before police intervened to bring normalcy.

Confirming the incident, Makueni OCS Phillip Chepkoni urged the residents to avoid mob justice and instead report any cases of injustices to the police.

The girl was taken to Makueni General hospital for medical examination.

The suspects are being held at Mukuyuni police station and are set to appear in court.