Suspected livestock thief lynched, body burned by Kirinyaga residents

A suspected livestock thief was on Sunday lynched and his body was set on fire by angry residents of Kiamwaki village in Kiaga, Kirinyaga County.

Residents confronted the man when a neighbour raised an alarm after he found the suspected thief untying his cow in the shed.

Locals say the man is part of a cattle theft ring stealing livestock in a well-orchestrated scheme with people suspected to be butchers from nearby markets like Kerugoya, Baricho, Kutus and Kagio.

“We believe the suspected livestock thieves have ready markets in this region,” area resident Joseph Kinyua said.

It is reported that the unknown people have been storming homes and farms late in the night and stealing cows, chicken and farm produce.

Kanyekiine location chief Gilbert Karimi has however cautioned the residents against taking matters into their own hands, urging them to work with the administration in addressing their grievances instead of killing suspects.

“The man’s remains have been taken to the Kerugoya Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem,” the chief added.