Police in Kirinyaga County rescued four suspected gangsters from an irate mob in Kerugoya town on Thursday afternoon after the suspects attempted to flee a robbery scene.
The suspects, who had allegedly raided an M-Pesa shop in the Central Business District , were apprehended by a group of residents who had been alerted to the crime. The robbers reportedly threatened a female shop attendant at gunpoint, stealing an undisclosed amount of money.
“Two of the gangsters entered the shop and demanded money at gunpoint while the others waited outside,” said one eyewitness, a shop assistant who requested anonymity. “They then jumped into their white car to flee the scene.”
However, their escape was short-lived as they were blocked by a bread truck, preventing them from getting away. At that point, the victim raised the alarm, attracting a growing crowd of residents.
As the suspects attempted to flee on foot, the mob quickly cornered them, capturing them before delivering a brutal beating.
“They pleaded for their lives, but the mob was furious,” said a local resident, who witnessed the chaos. “The anger was palpable, especially after a local trader was killed by similar gangsters last week.”
The suspects, covered in bruises and wounds, were then prepared to be burned alive by the mob when police, acting on a tip-off, arrived just in time to save them.
“We had to act swiftly to prevent a tragedy,” said one of the officers on the scene, who wished to remain unnamed. “The situation was tense, and the residents were not willing to listen to reason.”
Despite the police intervention, the mob continued to escalate the situation. Moments after the suspects were taken into custody, the residents turned their wrath on the gangsters’ vehicle, setting it ablaze.
“We have had enough of these criminals terrorizing our town. The police have failed us,” a resident angrily declared as the car was consumed by flames.
Efforts by the police to prevent the burning of the car were futile, as the crowd continued to chant in defiance. “The car was their only proof of the criminals’ identity, and we want them to pay for what they’ve done,” another local added.
Following the rescue, the four suspects were swiftly taken to the nearby Kerugoya Police Station for questioning. However, the unrest continues to simmer in the town as residents express frustration over the rise in crime.
“We will no longer wait for the police to protect us,” said a community leader. “If this continues, we will deal with these criminals ourselves. Last week, they killed a trader, and we won’t let it happen again.”
Police have confirmed that investigations into the robbery are ongoing, though no further details have been provided. The situation remains tense as Kirinyaga residents demand more proactive measures to combat crime.
