A 31-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death during a family dispute before an angry mob retaliated by burning four houses at a homestead in Lusumu Village, Navakholo Sub-County, Kakamega County.
According to police, the incident was reported on Thursday evening.
The deceased, identified as Kevin Makaya Makomere, was found lying dead on the floor of his sitting room.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the confrontation stemmed from allegations that he had stolen a mobile phone belonging to his 68-year-old father.
Police said the alleged theft triggered a fight between the father and son. During the altercation, the father was reportedly joined by another son, aged 36, who is currently at large. The two allegedly assaulted Kevin, leading to his death.
News of the killing quickly spread, attracting a large crowd of residents who threatened to lynch the suspects. The area assistant chief and village elders intervened and shielded the suspects as police officers from Navakholo Police Station rushed to the scene.
Police dispersed the crowd using tear gas and blank ammunition, recovered the body and rescued one of the suspects.
However, shortly after officers left the area, residents allegedly returned and set fire to the family homestead in retaliation. Four semi-permanent houses were destroyed in the blaze.
Police revisited the scene, documented the arson incident and launched investigations into both the death and the destruction of property.
The body was moved to the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
One suspect was arrested and placed in police custody, while a manhunt was launched for the second suspect, who remains at large. Investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the body of a man who had been reported missing following a drowning incident was retrieved from the Indian Ocean in Lamu County.
According to police, personnel from the Kenya Coast Guard Service attached to the LAPSSET security unit recovered the decomposing body of Peter Muchiri Ngari at the shores of the Indian Ocean in the Majiweni area on Thursday at around noon.
The body was positively identified by the deceased’s biological daughter at the recovery scene.
Authorities processed the incident before releasing the body to family members for burial arrangements.
The recovery marks the conclusion of search efforts that had been ongoing following the reported drowning incident.
Police said no foul play is suspected, and the body was subsequently handed over to relatives for burial in accordance with the family’s wishes.
