Angry Kakamega residents burn down chief's home to protest killing of suspected thieves

Tension remains high in Msalaba Village in Malava, Kakamega County, after irate residents descended on the homestead of the Mavala Township sub-location assistant chief and set his houses ablaze.

The residents accused him of colluding with some villagers to kill two suspected livestock thieves in the early hours of Tuesday.

Reports indicate that the residents retrieved the bodies of the two from Malava hospital before proceeding to the Assistant Chief's home, where they carried out the destruction.

They claim that the two victims who were killed were not thieves but legitimate livestock traders.

Villagers claim the suspects were confronted by the Assistant Chief on Monday night, allegedly in collusion with some locals.

During the confrontation, the two men were said to have been unable to justify why they were moving livestock at night—a practice that had recently been prohibited.

What followed were brutal beatings that led to their deaths while undergoing treatment at Malava hospital.

“Alikutana na vijana saa saba usiku, assistant chifu aliwauliza mmetoa ngombe wapi ndio wakaanza kuzozana," Charles Soita, a resident explained.

News of the night’s events spread quickly Tuesday morning, igniting fury among villagers.

In an act of retaliation, residents stormed Malava hospital, retrieved the bodies, and marched to the assistant chief’s homestead, setting his houses ablaze.

The mob, seemingly intent on harming the chief, forced him to flee for his life, narrowly escaping their wrath.

“Hao watu hawakuwa wezi ni wachurusi wa ngombe,” Titus Lumbasi said.

“Walikuja hapa na miili wakachoma nyumba na kuzibomoa," another resident Ann Nazala stated.

Soita, added, “Police walijua kungekuwa na uvamizi lakini hawakushughulika.”

The incident has left the community in utter shock and disbelief. Malava Sub-County Police Commander Paul Mwenda confirmed the attack, issuing a stern warning to residents against taking the law into their own hands and promising further investigations into the matter.