'Don't kill suspects, Athi River police sound alarm as mob justice cases surge

Police in Athi River have appealed to residents to stop taking the law into their own hands following a rise in mob justice incidents that have left several suspects dead or seriously injured in recent weeks.

Athi River East Sub-County Police Commander Anderson Mbae urged members of the public to report suspected criminals to the police instead of resorting to lynching.

"The public shouldn't take law into their own hands. Let them make reports to police for necessary action," Mbae told The Star on Wednesday.

His appeal comes amid growing concern over a string of mob justice incidents in Athi River Sub-County, particularly in Mlolongo Division, where several suspects have been attacked by angry residents.

Police say hotspots include Mlolongo Phase 3, Mulinge Scheme, Sabaki and the Tuff Form areas, where insecurity has been frequently reported.

In the latest incident, an unidentified man died after he was allegedly assaulted by members of the public in Mlolongo Phase 3 on July 11.

According to police, the man was found inside a rented house near a primary School at night. A local administrator reported that the house owner had briefly stepped out to a nearby shop and returned to find the man inside the house. He alerted neighbours, who allegedly assaulted the suspect.

The incident was reported to Mlolongo Police Station.

A day later, on July 12, two other suspects were reportedly attacked by members of the public in the nearby Mulinge Scheme area.

Police officers from Mlolongo Police Station found the two alive on July 13, several hours after the incident, and rushed them to the hospital. Their condition was not immediately known.

Earlier, on July 3, another man, identified as James Wambua, died after he was allegedly assaulted by members of the public in the Tuff Form area of Sabaki Sub-location.

According to police, Wambua had allegedly stolen from a supermarket before the incident occurred.

Officers processed the scene before moving the body to Shalom Community Hospital Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Mbae acknowledged the rise in mob justice cases but said police had intensified security operations across the sub-county.

"We are patrolling the area with our community policing teams to ensure the residents aren't living in fear. Let them make reports to police. They have powers to arrest rather than lynching suspects," he said.

However, some residents say they are increasingly worried about insecurity.

Mlolongo Phase 3 resident Abernego Munguti claimed criminals were attacking residents even during the day.

"We are attacked and robbed even at daytime. Traders are suffering. Our major problem is insecurity. Most youth are idle, they have nothing to do due to high rates of joblessness," he said.

Another resident, who requested anonymity for fear of her safety, claimed groups of youths riding motorcycles were behind a series of violent robberies.

She alleged that the attackers, armed with crude weapons including knives and machetes, targeted M-Pesa shops, supermarkets, clubs, hotels and pedestrians.

The woman said she had previously been a victim of such an attack.

Police have continued to urge residents to report criminal incidents through the proper channels, warning that mob justice not only undermines the rule of law but can also result in the death or injury of suspects before investigations are carried out.