A middle-aged man was on Monday evening sprinkled with petrol by angry locals who wanted to set him on fire.
The incident happened at Kiogoro in Kegati, Nyaribari Chache in Kisii County.
Confirming the incident area chief Henry Nyang''au said the man Julius Matoke was found with five stolen chicken.
"Locals cornered Matoke with stolen chicken which he had stolen from his neighbor. Angry locals apprehended the suspect and surrendered him to Kegati police station where a boda boda penetrated with a one-litre jerrycan full of petrol and sprinkled on the suspect as police officers watched," said Nyang'au.
The chief said police officers acted swiftly and moved the suspect from the crowd who had planned to set him on fire.
"It is shocking that locals wanted to lynch the man in front of police officers. The suspect moved from the crowd before a match stick was lit," he said.
Area police boss Joshua Muthoka said cases of theft are at the peak in the area.
"Men should work to earn a living legally and not stealing. Matoke will be arraigned in court once the owner of the chicken records a statement," he said.
Mr. Muthoka warned locals against lynching crime suspects.