Three suspects lynched for robbing woman

Three suspects were lynched yesterday by a mob in Tharaka North sub-county after they robbed a business woman of Sh600,000.

Armed with firearms, the robbers attacked the woman, who was riding on a motorbike in Karii ka Mburi along Gatunga-Kathangachini road.

Tharaka Nithi County Police Commander Johnston Ipara said residents responded after the woman cried out for help and stoned two of the robbers before setting them ablaze. During the confrontation, the robbers also shot and injured a three-year-old boy, who was going to school.

Police have recovered one AK-47 and several used cartridges as well as the cash that had been stolen.

The other suspect had initially escaped but after a thorough manhunt by the mob, he was caught in Gikingo Forest, where he was also stoned and lynched. Bodies of the three suspects were taken to Meru Level Five Hospital Mortuary. The woman is receiving treatment at Kathangachini Hospital while the boy is at Marimanti sub-county Hospital.

"The gang is believed to have been operating within the locality, thus we urge locals to volunteer information so that those working with the robbers are caught," said Mr Ipara.

Meanwhile, politicians in the county have been warned against inciting youths and uttering divisive sentiments during public functions. Ipara noted that for the last three months, certain politicians have been hiring goons to disrupt functions, warning that they would be arrested.

During last year's Jamhuri Day celebrations, youths alleged to have been sponsored by senior officials in the county government disrupted the event and shouted down Chuka/Igambang'ombe MP Muthomi Njuki.

Last Saturday when Senator Kithure Kindiki was launching tarmacking of a 23 kilometre road, youths alleged to have been sponsored by county government officials disrupted the function and bullied Mr Njuki, who has declared he will vie for the governor's seat in 2017. He was accompanied by the senator.

Ipara claimed some politicians are buying youths alcohol and giving them handouts to bully their rivals and disrupt meetings.