Man lynched, car set ablaze over suspected cattle theft

A mob lynched a man and torched his vehicle over suspected livestock theft in Homa Bay.

The man who has not been identified was killed at Nyawango village, Kokwanyo West Location in Rachuonyo East Sub-county.

Residents have raised concerns over rising livestock theft in the area where the criminals use vehicles to ferry the loot.

The criminals strike during the day when residents have left to attend to other activities.

This trend has made residents cautious of people who park vehicles at grazing fields.

On Tuesday evening, residents spotted a vehicle with two occupants parked at a field where some goats were grazing.

However, on interrogation, the duo were hesitant to identify themselves and disclose their mission before one fled to a local secondary school.

The irate mob suspected that they were part of the criminals stealing livestock in the area and descended on the man with crude weapons.

Rachuonyo East Sub-county Police Commander Laban Omol said they rescued the man who fled to the school compound.

The man was detained at Othoro Police Station.

“The DCI officers are interrogating the man to enable us to get more information on the intentions,” Omol said.

The police boss warned residents against taking the law in their own hands.

The body was moved to Rachuonyo South Sub-county Hospital mortuary.