Two men escaped death by a whisker after they were suspected to have raped two women.
Barnabas Kimani, 26, and Joshua Irungu, 31, were beaten merciless after residents accused them of raping the two aged 20 and 15 years.
It was alleged that the duo committed the offence on Wednesday at Kimango village in Rongai Sub County.
Confirming the incident, Rongai acting police boss Joseph Karanga said that police rescued the suspects from being lynched.
“Our police officers rescued the suspects from angry residents who wanted to lynch them. We have taken them for treatment at the Nakuru Provincial General Hospital,” said Karanga.
He urged the youth to desist from evil acts that would make them lower their character and land in the hands of law and warned the public against taking law in their hands.
“The public should respect the rule of law. Offenders should be reported to police and taken to court to answer to charges against them,” said Karanga.
David Kitur, a witness, said that the residents were in the process of contributing money to buy petrol to set them ablaze when police arrived.
“We were contributing money to buy petrol to set them on fire when police arrived and rescued them,” said Kitur.
Karanga said the suspects would be arraigned in court later on in the week.