A middle-aged man met his death on Wednesday evening at Witeithie stage in Juja after he allegedly snatched a woman’s handbag immediately she alighted from a vehicle.
The deceased, identified only as Karangi by the residents, is believed to be a member of a dangerous gang that has been stealing and harassing the residents and had escaped a police trap some days earlier where one was arrested and another escaped with bullet injuries.
Confirming the incident, area police boss James Linguli criticised residents for lynching the suspect, saying they should have handed the deceased to the officers.
“He should have been handed to us for an action but it is so sad they took law into their arms and beat him to death,” he said.
Linguli added that the gang will soon be surrendering as they have information on where they are hiding.
“We are aware where they are residing and we are planning on how to raid and arrest them and prosecute as we have evidence,” Linguli added.
The residents on their side said that the police arrest and later release criminals, contributing to the unending insecurity.
The deceased’s body was taken to Thika General Kago mortuary.