Villagers douse man in petrol, nearly set him ablaze for 'stealing cockerel'

Butere, Kenya: A man escaped death by a whisker after he was allegedly found with a stolen cockerel in Mumabanga village in Butere, Tuesday.

The suspect was saved by police from an agitated mob who had doused him in petrol, ready to set him ablaze.
The 21-year-old Haggai Odera is said to have stolen Sarah Otundo's rooster while she was cooking on Monday night. He was said to be on his way the neighbouring market to dispose of the cockerel when he was nabbed.

"We met this young man with a rooster. On asking what he was doing with a cock that early, he threw the bird into a sugar-cane plantation and tried to escape but we gave chase and caught him," said Opondo Komolo, a witness.

NOTORIOUS THIEF

"We looked for the cockerel, found it and were taking him to the area assistant chief's office when we bumped into other residents who attacked him claiming he is a notorious petty thief who vanishes with everything he finds. He was beaten and was about to be set ablaze when police on patrol rescued him," added the witness.

Mutoma Assistant Chief Mary Munyanya said she alerted the police fearing the suspect would be lynched.

She said the suspect is a notorious thief but they had not been arrested him because he has never been caught in the act.

"I have received reports many times from people claiming the suspect has stolen from them but because we can only arrest when we get him in the act or with stolen property, we have been unable to prove anything until yesterday," explained Munyanya.

Confirming the incident, Butere OCPD Josephine Ng'etich said the suspect will be arraigned in court and charged with theft and handling stolen property.

She warned against lynching suspects, saying it is only a court of law that is constitutionally allowed to declare someone guilty.

"The suspect was beaten and has been taken to Butere Sub County Hospital for treatment. He will be taken to court once he is well and discharged," said Ngetich.