A suspected chicken thief was killed by an angry mob in Kayuyu Village, Mwea West Sub-county, Kirinyaga County, after residents accused him of being behind a string of chicken thefts that had troubled the area for months.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns over rising cases of mob justice, with police warning residents against taking the law into their own hands.
According to residents, the unidentified man had allegedly developed a unique method of stealing chickens by using pieces of mandazi to lure the birds before carrying them away. Villagers claimed he often targeted homes when owners were away working on their farms and children were in school.
Locals further alleged that the stolen chickens were later sold at Makutano Shopping Centre to hotels and motorists travelling along the busy highway.
The suspect was reportedly cornered after allegedly stealing two chickens from the home of a local resident. Residents said a Form Four student intercepted him while he was carrying the birds away.
When questioned, the suspect allegedly insisted that the chickens belonged to him and claimed his mother was working on a nearby farm. However, villagers who recognised the birds disputed his claims.
Residents further linked him to previous theft incidents reported in the area and accused him of repeatedly targeting households.
As word spread through the village, a crowd gathered and confronted the suspect. The situation quickly escalated, with residents attacking him before setting him ablaze.
Some villagers said they attempted to calm the crowd but were unsuccessful as emotions ran high.
The killing has left the community divided, with some residents expressing frustration over recurring thefts while others condemned the violent turn of events.
Police officers from Mwea West later arrived at the scene and moved the body to Kerugoya Hospital Mortuary.
Law enforcement officers strongly criticised the mob action, describing it as unlawful and a violation of constitutional rights.
Police noted that the suspect could have provided critical information regarding the alleged theft network, including possible buyers and locations where stolen chickens were being sold.
Authorities said the decision to kill the suspect may have denied investigators valuable leads that could have helped dismantle criminal activities in the area.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing as police seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding both the alleged thefts and the mob killing.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of mob justice and the importance of allowing law enforcement agencies to handle criminal cases through legal channels.
