Three men lynched in Malili, Makueni

The scene of the incident where three stock theft suspects were lynched in Malili, Makueni County

Three men were lynched early Friday by members of the public in Malili, Mukaa Subcounty, Makueni County.

The three were subjected to mob justice after they were found transporting two cows suspected of having been stolen from a resident.

The animals were being ferried in a lorry, which was set on fire during the incident.

The incident occurred at Memea Market in the Malili area.

A police source told The Star that the cows had been reported stolen the previous night, prompting a search by members of the public.

The matter was reported to Mukaa Police Station shortly after the incident.

Officers from the station responded to the scene, documented it, and removed the bodies to a mortuary.

The remains of the motor vehicle were also taken to the police station.

Police have since launched investigations into the incident.

Makueni and neighbouring Machakos counties have recorded several cases of mob justice in recent months, particularly involving suspected stock theft.

In Kalama, Machakos County, a man was recently rescued by police after being assaulted by residents who accused him of stealing goats.

He was taken to hospital for treatment under police guard.

In other incidents reported in the region, suspects have died after being attacked by mobs.

Police have condemned acts of mob justice, urging members of the public to report suspected criminal activity to law enforcement agencies instead of taking the law into their own hands.

Authorities have also opened murder investigations into some of the cases and warned that those found culpable will face prosecution.