Two men killed over suspected cattle theft

The scene where two men were killed at Kakoth village, Kokwanyo West Sub-location, in Rachuonyo East Sub-county on February 12, 2025. Two men who were part of a suspected gang of cattle rustlers have been killed in Homa Bay County [James Omoro, Standard]

Two men who were part of a suspected gang of cattle rustlers have been lynched while two others have been injured seriously in Homa Bay County.

The men who have not been identified were killed at Kakoth village, Kokwanyo West Sub-location, in Rachuonyo East Sub-county on Wednesday evening.

Residents said the two men were part of a gang of four suspected cattle rustlers comprising three men and a woman.

The suspects entered a homestead in the village at about 5.50 pm where they did not find family members. Two men went to a latrine and thereafter proceeded to where cattle were tethered.

Suspicious residents mobilized fellow villagers who surrounded the homestead and got hold of the four suspects.

They were frog-matched outside the homestead where they were assaulted with crude weapons.

The Assistant Chief of Kokwanyo West Sub-location Andrew Orinda decried increasing cases of cattle theft that occur in the area during the day.

"It is true that theft of livestock has escalated in this area during the day. They suspected the four were the perpetrators," Orinda said.

He urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands.

"Let residents report the suspects to government authorities," he added.

Rachuonyo East Sub-County Police Commander Justus Kucha said he had sent his officers to the scene and was awaiting their report.

"Our officers have gone to the scene. I am waiting for them to give us a report of how the incident occurred," Kucha said.