Yatta OCPD Edward Kipsang has urged residents to shun mob justice and instead refer suspects to security agents.
He recalled that in the past many incidences have been reported where suspects have lost their lives in the hands of mob justice.
The police boss emphasised on the need for co-existence of peace, law and order amongst the residents of Yatta south sub-county.
Mr Kipsang said a good working relationship among all members of the society will help the police to keep security and order in the area.
Speaking to the public when he led a group of officers in making arrests of criminals in the area on Wednesday, Kipsang urged the residents to keep off from taking law into their hands by informing the authorities in case of any criminal cases.
He cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands saying that doing so would jeopardise the rights of suspects.
The officer said the residents who tipped off the police on the criminals arrested on Wednesday did a commendable job as lynching could not have solved the problem.
"They acted as good examples instead of subjecting them to mob justice they called the police and am happy that we will arraign them in court immediately so as to serve the offended with their justice," he said.
In the incident, three shop theft suspects were arrested and detained with the products they had stolen and they are to be arraigned in court on Thursday.