Irate residents of the Naisambu area in Kiminini constituency, Trans Nzoia County, on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, set ablaze a suspected maize thief.
Julius Tallam, a member of Naisambu peace committee, told K24 digital that the suspect, a resident of the Bikeke area, had two sacks of green maize.
"It is suspected that the youth who had two sacks of maize was in the company of others who escaped when they were cornered," Tallam said.
Tallam said that the suspect had already succumbed to burn injuries by the time police officers arrived at the scene.
"He was burnt beyond recognition and by the time police officers arrived, he had already died" he added.
He further noted that incidents of maize and livestock theft had gone up in the areas and called for a temporary suspension of selling of green maize in Trans Nzoia County.
"We are asking Trans Nzoia County security committee through chiefs to suspend the business of selling maize for some time because idle youths have a ready market for stolen maize," he appealed.
Police say another suspect escaped
Kiminini Sub County Police Commander John Onditi confirmed the incident, saying that another youth who was waiting for the victim escaped using a motorcycle.
"Yes it is true an angry mob burnt a maize thief suspect to death after beating him seriously," Onditi said.
Onditi called on members of the public not to take the law into their hands whenever they arrest a suspected thief in their areas.
"It is not good for members of the public to kill any person who is suspected to have committed some criminal offences. The best they can do is to surrender to police officers or chiefs" he added.
Pastor Evans Orone of Elim Evangelistic International Ministry in Kitale linked the rise in insecurity to the conclusion of the political season.
"The youths who engage in crime are the ones who were used to handouts from politicians," Orone said.
He further urged unemployed youths to shun crime and engage in legal income-generating activities.
"It is not a must to be employed by the government. You can visit construction sites and offer your labour as a casual labourer, look for some capital and start small businesses" he advised.
The body of the unknown man has been taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.
