A suspected thief was on Sunday beaten to death by angry residents of Mwamonari village in Kisii County after allegedly being found in possession of stolen items.
The suspected thief known as Walter Omete succumbed to injuries at Marani District hospital following serious head and stomach injuries sustained during the beating.
According to eye witnesses, angry residents stormed the deceased compound on Sunday morning and ordered him out before searching for lost items.
The angry mob recovered several items among them gas cookers, iron sheets and other construction materials suspected to have been stolen from a construction site.
“They came in large numbers and ordered him out of the house early morning. They recovered construction materials that were allegedly stolen by the deceased from a construction site. They then started chanting anti-theft slogans,” said Dalphin Nyaboke, an eye witness adding that the mob then started beating the deceased using blunt objects and pangas before he was rescued by Police officers from Marani Police station before being taken to Marani Health centre where he later passed on.
“They shouted while beating him helplessly. They used blunt objects and kicked him severally before police arrived at the scene to dispersed the crowd,” said Nyaboke.
Marani OCPD Bernard Kimwele confirmed the incident and condemned the attack besides calling for sobriety whenever such matters arise.
“It is true that the suspect was beaten by the area residents and died at our district hospital. We will ensure that all perpetrators are brought to book as we continue to investigate the incident. No one is allowed to take life of a fellow human being,” said OCPD Kimwele.