Police are currently investigating a tragic incident where three individuals were fatally stoned by a mob in a suspected kidnapping case in a village in Butere, Kakamega County. Further investigations have revealed that the incident occurred due to mistaken identity.
A team has been dispatched to the area to pursue justice by apprehending and prosecuting those responsible for the attack that occurred on July 5th. According to Butere Sub-county Police Commander Julius Kipkorir, the three victims were part of a group traveling to Uganda when their driver inadvertently entered a village where reports of child trafficking have been frequent.
This raised suspicion among locals, leading to a violent attack by an enraged mob.
“The case is that of mistaken identity. The suspects were victims. The matter is still under investigation,” said Kipkorir.
One of the victims told police that they were travelling to Kampala to conduct DNA tests as part of their preparations to travel abroad.
“They beat us with machetes, big sticks, sharp knives, and stones. When the police arrived they were asked to stop but they kept fighting and throwing stones at us,” Yusuf Abdirahman said from his hospital bed.
According to locals, parents have, in recent months, been forced to accompany their children to school over fears of trafficking following the disappearance of children in strange circumstances.
On the material day, the mother of the two children who were mistaken to be on 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 that they had seen the car that steals children on the road,” she recalled.
She alerted neighbors, who raised the alarm, leading to a mob attack and the vehicle being set on fire. Initially, the police accepted the local narrative of increased child trafficking cases but later determined it was a case of mistaken identity.
Following investigations, it was confirmed that two identity cards were found—one belonging to the driver and the other to Amal Warsame Yusuf. Additionally, a COMESA driving license issued in Uganda was recovered belonging to Osob Ali Mohamed, a Somali national.
Six others were injured during the incident and were rushed to Butere Sub County Hospital for treatment. Among the injured were two men and a woman, who suffered cuts from pangas and were in critical condition.
Police strongly condemned mob lynching, emphasizing its criminal nature. They urged the surrender of suspects to authorities for proper processing and potential prosecution. Police highlighted instances where innocent individuals are wrongly accused and killed by mobs, underscoring their commitment to thoroughly investigate cases of mob violence.
Julius Kipkorir, Butere Sub-county Police Commander, reiterated the seriousness with which police are treating incidents of mob lynching, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation and legal action against perpetrators.
“Mob lynching is criminal and must be discouraged. We have had incidents where those involved have been charged with serious offences,” he said.
Dozens of such cases are reported monthly in the country at an alarming rate.
