There was tension and fear in parts of Kericho County on Tuesday after five men accused of robbing a businessman were beaten to death by an angry crowd.
The businessman had reportedly withdrawn over KSh1 million from a local bank money believed to belong to a SACCO before he was trailed by the suspects. The robbery is said to have happened around Soin and Sigowet areas.
Word spread quickly that the businessman had been attacked and robbed. Within a short time, residents began tracking down the suspected thieves.
By evening, five men had been cornered in different villages two in Kejiriet and three in Kibugat, Kipsitet. The crowd descended on them before police could fully take control of the situation.
What left many people talking is that one of the men killed was said to be a police officer. At the scene, residents found what looked like a police job card bearing the rank of corporal. However, police said they are still verifying whether the document was real.
Another suspect was reportedly found with an auctioneer’s licence and an ID card.
Soin Police Commander Lawrence Kisini said officers responded after receiving information from members of the public. He confirmed that several items were recovered, including walkie-talkies, two different number plates and a toy pistol that looked like a real gun.
“There were two number plates one fixed on the vehicle and another hidden inside,” he said, adding that this could mean the suspects were trying to conceal the car’s identity.
In recent months, locals say gangs using Toyota Probox vehicles have been targeting motorists along the Kipsitet Junction–Muhoroni road, creating fear among travellers.
Even as anger ran high, some leaders quietly expressed concern over the rising cases of mob justice, warning that taking the law into one’s hands can lead to tragic mistakes.
By Tuesday night, the area was calm but heavy with questions about crime, trust, and the disturbing claim that one of the suspects may have been a police officer.
