Drama engulfed Omoyo village in Nyamira on Thursday morning when angry residents seized a suspected timber thief and roughed him up before police from Gesima rescued him from the charging mob.
Speaking to HiviSasa.com, the angry residents threatened to set Gesima police station on fire, accusing the police force of protecting impunity since the suspected thief, Alex Manoti, is said to have given the area residents sleepless nights.
They demanded that the accused man to be subjected to public scrutiny in a bid to answer a series of theft cases that have been reported in the past since they believed he was the mastermind of their predicaments.
“We are very angry that the police can help someone who has robbed us property worth millions for over five years now. He deserved death and we can even decide to storm to the police post and have him answer some of theft cases,” said Boniface Ombiro.
“He has given us sleepless nights and I want to confirm that we caught him off-guard in my timber store ready to execute the act. He has been coordinating a series of crimes targeting locals,” added Mr Ombiro.
However, police officer Felix Maina urged residents to exercise sobriety and desist from engaging in mob justice since it was illegal.
“Mob justice is unlawful and when you believe that someone has done a wrong, the best thing is to report to authorities. He will be arraigned in Keroka law courts and I urge residents to come as witnesses,” he added.