Suspected thief lynched by residents in Embu

A 25-year-old man has been lynched by residents in Kangare, Runyenjes, Embu County, after he was allegedly found with stolen items.

The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on Saturday at Kimuri village along the Runyenjes–Gitare road.

Witnesses reported that residents returning from an overnight church vigil saw two suspects carrying sacks believed to contain stolen chicken and a water motor pump.

When questioned, one suspect managed to escape, leaving his accomplice behind.

The remaining suspect attempted to flee towards Kangare village but was cornered by residents, who responded violently and lynched him.

Gitare Acting Assistant Chief of Mbiruri Sub-location, Emma Rose Wanjira, condemned the killing and criticized residents for taking the law into their own hands.

“Our Nyumba Kumi officials tried to protect the suspect and hand him over to the police, but our efforts fell on deaf ears,” Wanjira said.

She emphasised that the suspect could have been valuable to investigators if he had been allowed to live, stating, “He stood a chance to give more names and vital information that would have helped ongoing investigations.”

Wanjira urged youths to avoid crime and seek lawful means of earning a living, warning residents against mob justice.

The suspect was first taken to Runyenjes Level 4 Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, and his body was later transferred to Embu Level 5 Hospital mortuary in the company of his father.