One suspected thief was on Monday night burnt beyond recognition in Nyota area, Trans Nzoia County.
The suspect was in the company of two others; a man and a woman who managed to escape using a motorbike and are still at large.
The three are said to have tried to break into a house in Miti Moja area before they were cornered by men who were on a night patrol.
Confirming the incident, Trans Nzoia West Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia, asked members of the public to surrender all suspects to police instead of killing them.
“Yes, it is true that the suspect was burnt by a mob. I want to ask members of the public not to kill any suspected thieves. They should hand over suspects to police for further actions,” Lobolia said.
It is reported that the burnt suspect identified as Calee was armed with crude weapons believed to be tools used in housebreaking and attacking detractors.
An eyewitness told K24 Digital that the suspect was frog-marched to a road junction along Kitale-Endebess highway where he was beaten thoroughly before being set on fire.
“We heard commotions some minutes past midnight. On paying close attention, we heard the voice of a man pleading for forgiveness. He was later beaten and burnt,” a witness said.
This comes two weeks after three other suspects were burnt on the same spot. The body has been taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
