Police authorities are concerned with the rising cases of mob lynching being recorded across the country. Disturbingly, some victims of these lynchings have been found to be innocent.
Police headquarters, which has been documenting the incidents, report that they have ordered investigations and actions to be taken against the perpetrators. Authorities also want vigilantes accused of similar incidents to be investigated.
The latest incident occurred in Murang’a on Wednesday, where a mob raided Gachocho police station, attacking police officers before lynching a murder suspect. The suspect had been arrested on Wednesday, accused of killing his brother on Tuesday night.
A mob then invaded the police station, demanding the suspect be handed over to them, leading to tension and chaos. Two police vehicles were vandalized, and the station was damaged. Overwhelmed police officers had to take cover as the mob attacked and killed the suspect, who had been moved from the cell to a police car for evacuation.
Also on Wednesday, two suspects accused of stealing a mobile phone from a female pedestrian were lynched in Embakasi, Nairobi. Police reported that a third suspect managed to escape. The victim told police she was walking to work at 5 am when three men attacked her and robbed her of her mobile phone. She screamed for help, and a mob responded, stoning two of the suspects to death.
Another suspect was lynched by a mob in Spring Valley during a botched robbery attempt on Wednesday evening, according to police. In Meru’s Riuga village, a suspect was lynched on Wednesday after being accused of stealing chickens. He was identified as Godfrey Kimaita, whom residents claimed was a known criminal. He was stoned to death. Police are investigating these incidents.
On July 5, three people were lynched in Ibokolo village, Butere, Kakamega, in what turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. Six others were injured and taken to the hospital after being rescued by police. A team has been sent to the area to arrest those responsible for the attack.
Butere Subcounty Police Commander Julius Kipkorir reported that the three were part of a group traveling to Uganda when their driver mistakenly entered a village where child trafficking cases have reportedly been on the rise, triggering suspicion and a mob attack.
“The case is that of mistaken identity. The suspects were victims. The matter is still under investigation,” Kipkorir said.
The vehicle they were travelling in had nine occupants, including the driver. When the vehicle made its way into the village, two 14-year-old boys saw them and retreated to their home.
The mother of the two children who were mistaken to be the target said she escorted them out of the house as she does every morning.
“However, upon getting to the gate, they turned, came back running to the house, locked the door and told me they had seen the car that steals children on the road,” she recalled.
She informed neighbours who raised the alarm, triggering the mob attack and the torching of the vehicle.
One of the victims told police they were travelling to Kampala to conduct DNA tests as part of their preparations to travel abroad.
Police discourage mob lynching and term it criminal.
They want suspects arrested and surrendered to authorities for processing and possible prosecution.
Police say in most mob lynching incidents, the victims are framed.
The most worrying trend is the one involving boda boda riders.
Police say whenever a rider is involved in an accident, others resort to mob lynching and attacks which leave devastating effects.
Police spokesperson Resla Onyango said they have rolled out civic education programmes as part of their efforts to curb the trend.
“Mob lynching is criminal and must be discouraged. We have had incidents where those involved have been charged with serious offences,” she said.
Onyango also cited a case where a judge had in January 2023 in Siaya convicted two people for the lynching of a suspected mobile phone thief, saying it should serve as a lesson.
“Those caught may be charged and convicted. Let suspects be surrendered to authorities for processing,” she said.
