A shylock giving out soft loans to small scale traders in Kisumu was on Friday evening roughed up by youth who claimed he was buying identification cards.
Timothy Ayondi was cornered and nearly lynched at Kibuye market after his business was mistaken for voter bribery.
He was, however, saved by the quick response from officers attached to the police dog unit.
The officers whisked him to Kondele police station as the crowd pursued on motorbikes.
It is at the police station that he explained that he was a known shylock who issues instant loans to traders.
"I go to the traders using someone who knows them. They come with their IDs and I only take the copies and write down their particulars," he said.
He said when they youth saw tens of traders line up to him, their IDs in hand, they got curious.
Kisumu County Police Commander Titus Yoma said the man was released.
The ongoing voter registration has got youth on high alert and can easily be triggered by such dealings.
He asked the youth to observe the law as the country gears up for the August elections.