Tragedy struck Metembe village in Kisii County on Tuesday night as five members of the same family were brutally lynched by an angry mob in what authorities suspect was an act of vigilante justice.
The attack, which occurred in Masimba Ward, was allegedly sparked by accusations linking the family to the murder of a middle-aged man who was found dead in the area about a month ago. Among those killed were the family’s father, mother, and three other close relatives.
According to local residents, tensions had been simmering for weeks. But the violence reached a horrifying climax when villagers stormed the family’s home, dragging them out before killing them on the spot. Two other relatives reportedly escaped with injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
In a further escalation of the mob’s fury, six houses belonging to the family were set ablaze and completely razed, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a community in shock.
South Masaba Deputy County Commissioner Jane Manene confirmed the incident and termed it a “deeply disturbing act of lawlessness.”
“Investigations have been launched, and officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are on the ground collecting evidence,” Manene said. “This is a heinous crime, and those responsible will be brought to justice.”
The bodies of the five victims have been moved to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital morgue as police continue to appeal for calm and cooperation from the public.
No arrests have been made as of Wednesday evening.
This latest incident has reignited concern over the growing trend of mob justice in parts of the country, where communities often take the law into their own hands in the absence of timely interventions from authorities.
Political analyst and social justice advocate Dr. Robert Nyabera condemned the killings, saying, “This is what happens when communities lose faith in the justice system. But no matter the anger or suspicion, extrajudicial killings are never the answer.”
He added, “We are witnessing a breakdown in both trust and law enforcement mechanisms. The government must act swiftly—not only to investigate this crime, but also to address the root causes of such vigilantism.”
Human rights groups have also called for a thorough probe, demanding accountability for the deaths and destruction.
As investigations continue, the residents of Metembe remain gripped by fear and uncertainty, with many asking the same haunting question: Where was law and order when it mattered most?
