Police warn locals over mob justice

By RAEL JELIMO

Residents of Nandi County are now taking the law into their own hands to punish suspected criminals.

This follows rise in crime in the county where several people have been robbed and killed by gangsters.

“We are tired of the killings that are currently happening in Nandi. It is unfortunate that the police in the county have done very little to prevent the alarming crime trend in the county. No suspects have been arrested in all these killings and armed robbery attacks. We have no option; we will no longer watch as these criminals frustrate us and our businesses,” says Mr Philip Chepkonga, a Mugundoi Location resident, where three suspects were lynched by the public on suspicion of being robbers.

Two other people are nursing critical injuries at the Kapsabet District Hospital after they narrowly escaped death during the incident.

A middle aged man was killed last week by a mob in Meswo Location over alleged links to a gang that attacked residents of Kamatarguy Location that saw six family members tortured and hacked with machetes.

Nandi Central OCPD Shem Muganda warned the public against taking the law into their own hands saying they risk being arrested.

“We urge the public to be reasonable. They have to exercise patience. Investigations are underway for the crimes that are committed in Nandi. The law will take its cause and the involved people will be apprehended,” says the OCPD. Nandi County Commander Jacinta Wesonga asked the public to be vigilant in their neighbourhood.

“These criminals come from our homes. Do not shelter a criminal. Give information to the police. That is not to say wananchi should take the law into their hands; it’s illegal. Innocent people may be killed. Let police do their work,” said Ms Wesonga.