Nyandarua: Three rescued from mob attack after allegedly conning 85-year-old woman

Police in Nyandarua County have rescued three suspects from a lynching after an angry mob beat them and set their vehicle ablaze for allegedly defrauding an 85-year-old woman.

The incident, which occurred in the City Gate area of North Kinangop, was reported to the Murungaru Police Station under OB number 9/23/9/26.

A member of the public phoned the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) to alert them as the agitated crowd descended on the trio approximately three kilometers south of the station.

The crowd accused the trio of fraudulently obtaining an unspecified amount of money from Solome Wahu Kariuki, an 85-year-old local resident.

In addition to the physical assault, the enraged locals turned their anger on the suspects' getaway vehicle, burning their Toyota Axio saloon car, registration number KCM 894D, to ashes.

Police managed to break through the crowd and rescue the suspects, who had already sustained severe body injuries from the beating.

Police have identified the suspects as 45-year-old John Kariuki Njoroge, 43-year-old Mercy Wanjiku Mwaura, and 32-year-old Lucy Wangoi Kamwere.

The three were rushed to the North Kinangop Referral Hospital for treatment under police guard.

Central Regional Police boss Geoffrey Mayek condemned the incident, warning the public against taking the law into their own hands.

"While we understand the public's frustration regarding crime, (but) mob justice is a criminal offense," Mayek stated.

"We urge citizens to surrender suspects to the police so that justice can follow due process. Our officers are investigating both the fraud allegations and the lawless destruction of property."

Police at Murangaru have launched investigation into the incident to understand circumstances prior and after it was reported.