Machakos: Sorrow as brothers mistaken for criminals, killed by mob after Arsenal-PSG match are buried

A sombre mood engulfed Nyaani Village in Wamunyu, Mwala Constituency, as relatives, friends and neighbours gathered to bid farewell to two brothers who were killed in a mob attack in Machakos town nearly two weeks ago.

The brothers, Kennedy Katuu Muthungu, 29, and Stanley Mbithi Muthungu, 22, were laid to rest on Friday amid tears, grief and renewed calls for justice from their family and local leaders.

The two were among three young men who were lynched and set ablaze by a mob on the night of May 31 after being mistaken for criminals in an incident that has sparked outrage across Machakos County.

Investigations into the killings are ongoing, with police already detaining a key suspect believed to have triggered the fatal attack.

According to family members, the brothers had been walking home alongside their friend Charles Mutiso after watching the UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) when tragedy struck.

The family says Charles was allegedly hit by a vehicle and sustained an ankle injury. As the three sought accountability from the driver, the situation quickly escalated after the motorist allegedly raised an alarm and claimed he was being carjacked.

Within minutes, boda boda riders and members of the public reportedly descended on the trio, beating them before setting them on fire.

Court documents filed by investigators indicate that police suspect the driver, identified as Christopher Mwenda Robert, may have played a key role in inciting the mob after allegedly claiming the three men were criminals attempting to hijack his vehicle. He is currently being held for 21 days as detectives continue with investigations.

The deaths of Kennedy, Stanley and Charles shocked residents of Mwala and Machakos, with families describing the victims as hardworking young men whose lives were cut short by a case of mistaken identity.

Speaking during the burial ceremony, mourners condemned the rise in mob justice and called on authorities to ensure all those involved in the killings are identified and prosecuted.

The families have maintained that the three men were innocent and had simply been returning home after watching the football match when they met their deaths.

Investigators are currently reviewing witness statements and CCTV footage from businesses near the scene as they seek to establish the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal attack.