Suspected thief killed by mob in Kirinyaga after attempting to attack residents with panga

According to local residents, the incident occurred in Ngucui Village after the man was allegedly linked to a series of thefts involving cooking stoves (mekos) and television sets.

Irungu Mwangi, a resident, said villagers confronted the suspect and demanded that he surrender the allegedly stolen items. However, he reportedly armed himself with a panga and attempted to attack the crowd.

Residents overpowered him, leaving him with serious injuries.

Police officers from Kanjinji Police Station responded to the scene and attempted to rescue him. His father, Nyamu Mugo, hired a vehicle to take him to Kimbimbi Sub-County Hospital, but he died before reaching the facility.

The deceased was identified as Justus Mugo Nyamu. According to his father, he had sustained multiple panga wounds. His wife also suffered minor injuries during the incident and was treated and discharged.

Residents claimed that Nyamu had previously been accused of theft and had been driven away from several villages, including Ngucui, Mugumo-ini, Kimbimbi, and Kanjinji.

"He had been chased away before over allegations of stealing mekos and televisions in Ngucui, and residents felt they had reached their limit," said Nancy Wanjiku, a resident.

Following reports of his death, residents gathered at Kimbimbi Sub-County Hospital to confirm the information before the body was transferred to Kibugi Funeral Home in Kutus.

Police officers who visited the scene urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead report criminal incidents to the authorities for investigation and legal action.