Drama has engulfed Mwongori village in Borabu constituency after a middle-aged woman was caught red-handed stealing vegetables in a neighbour’s farm.
The Wednesday mid-morning incident literally paralysed businesses in the area with the woman, identified as Mary Nyaboke, rescued by area chief from a charging mob that was preparing to lynch her.
According to the farm’s owner, Mrs Pauline Mbone, the accused took advantage of her absence from home and descended on her vegetable farm before she caught her committing the action.
“I went away visiting my child at Mwongori secondary and it’s like the accused was aware of my absence. She took advantage and executed the crime but I returned from the school in time and caught her,” she said.
Area residents were, however, stopped from lynching her after area chief, David Ogega, came to her rescue.
“Residents were ready to unleash but the chief acted swiftly after he was informed by village elders. He actually rescued her from a possible mob justice,” said Emma Kemuma, a witness.
The chief cautioned residents against taking the law into their hands but prescribed a two-month community punishment for the accused after she admitted the offence.
“It is a sad thing that our people still have a mentality of killing people. Mob justice is illegal and they must know that. The accused has admitted her mistakes and she will be doing community work for two months and serve as an example to similar offenders,” he said.