Fear engulfs Nyandarua village as chicken thief lynched, another man found dead inside potato firm

Fear has gripped Bahati Trading Centre in Ol Joroorok, Nyandarua County after two people were killed during the weekend.

In the first incident, a suspect was lynched by a mob on Saturday after he was found with stolen chicken.

On Monday morning, school-going children stumbled on the body of another man dumped in a potato plantation whose body had partly been buried and alerted local people.

The second body was identified as that of 36-year-old Paul Maina Mbogo who used to do manual jobs around the trading centre.

Ol Joroorok sub-county Police Commander, Jotham Wanyama said the two deaths were not related adding that in the first incident, the victim who was aged 50 used to make chicken cages, and in the course of hawking them, he would ensure to note where the birds were kept and would return and steal them.

Maina’s mother, Esther Wanjiru said he last saw his son on Friday and was shocked to be informed on Monday that he was dead.

“He was a well-behaved son who never involved himself in any crime. He used to do manual jobs like digging land for local people, ” she said before the police ferried the body to Nyahururu county hospital mortuary.

The police boss said Maina’s body had head injuries and a bottle and glass of beer were found at the scene. Locals said the glass had marks indicating it was from one of the local drinking joints.

Wanyama further noted that the sub-county DCI officers had taken over the investigation and promised that “anybody who will be found to have participated in the killing of Maina will be dealt with by law.”

Locals blamed the sale and consumption of alcohol for the deteriorating security situation in the trading centre. “Bars in this centre operate for 24 hours, it is like curfew is alien here,” said Elizabeth Wamaitha.

Locals said drunk youths can be heard shouting at the centre even at 2 am.
The sub-county police chief promised that more patrols will be conducted in the centre to curb further incidents of insecurity.