Machakos: Probe as 'notorious' chicken thief lynched

The man, only identified as Samuel, was busted with seven chickens stolen from his neighbour.

An area resident, Daniel Masau, told Wanachi Reporting that the man was a notorious thief who would steal and disappear from the area for a period of time then resurface for another round of theft.

"The man has been stealing for years, disappearing and then coming back to terrorise residents," he said. 

The latest victims woke up to a shock on Thursday when they found seven of their chickens missing from their backyard.

They alerted other residents and a search was launched, which led them to Samuel, who had packed the chickens in a sack.

A section of residents then pounced on him and told him to confess where he had been selling the proceeds of his crimes. 

The man is said to have made the confession, but was not spared and was lynched.

By the time police officers arrived at the scene, the man was dead.

The body was taken to Machakos Level 4 Hospital mortuary as investigations are launched into the death.

Residents have been urged to desist from taking the law into their own hands.

Additional reporting by Janet Akinyi