A middle-aged man was beaten to death by outraged residents of Mburi village in Njukiini, Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, after being accused of murdering the night watchman at Mburi Christian Primary School and dumping his body in a classroom.
According to Mburi village residents, led by Njukiini MCA Timothy Kariuki, the suspect initially named the individuals who were with him during the killing. Following this revelation, the villagers took the law into their own hands and lynched him.
“I could not help him as villagers were very angry. I tried to help him in vain in the 11 pm incident,” Kariuki said.
The suspect is accused of killing the night watchman on Saturday. The body was found without trousers in the classroom on Monday morning by the children.
“These criminals are undressing men and running away with their trousers at night to look for money in their pockets. They are harassing us,” Peter Kinyua said.
The 74-year-old watchman’s body was discovered dead and placed in a classroom at Mburi Primary School on Monday, paralysing instruction.
“Learners who came to school found the watchman dumped in the classroom without trousers. It was very sad,” Mary Mwaniki, a teacher at the school said.
Residents of Mburi and the surrounding villages are urging security agencies to crack down on criminal gangs in the area.
“We have taken the law into our hands because when criminals are arrested, they are released by the courts,” Joseph Wanjohi said.
The remains of the suspect were moved to the Kerugoya Hospital mortuary.
Meanwhile, Gichugu Sub-County Police Commander Johnson Wachira, who confirmed the incident, urged people not to take the law into their own hands.
