Tragedy as suspect stabs man to death while escaping mob justice

 

Tragedy struck a family when a suspect stabbed and killed a man in an effort to escape from the wrath of a mob in Majengo, Kericho town.

The suspect had been caught on suspicion of breaking into a house and forced to sit on a tarmac as a mob gathered beating him.

The suspect, according to police was chased and caught up by a mob, which was angry saying such incidents had been on the rise.

The incident happened on Saturday morning, police said.

As the mob beat and interrogated the suspect, he turned on one of those in the group and stabbed him in the stomach forcing the rest to scamper for their safety.

The mob was oblivious that the suspect was armed with a knife that he used in stabbing the victim, witnesses said.

In the meantime, the suspect managed to escape the scene.

The deceased was identified as Geoffrey Tanui, 35. He was among those present interrogating the suspect for the said offence.

The victim was rushed to the Kericho County Referral Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Officials said he had sustained serious stab wounds.

Police discourage mob lynching and term it criminal.

They want suspects arrested by the public to be surrendered to authorities for processing and prosecution.

A hunt on the suspect is ongoing, police said.

In the nearby Mau Summit area, the body of one John Thiongo was found in a culvert after a suspected drowning.

Police said the man may have been swept to the scene by raging waters after heavy rainfall in the area.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and probe.

Rains have killed over 80 people in separate parts of the country.

Officials say the rains are set to persist in the next months and want action to be taken to mitigate further losses.

 BY CYRUS OMBATI