Family in Kakamega Seeks Justice After Son Abducted, Lynched and Set Ablaze

A family in Mawe Tatu Sub-Location, Likuyani Sub-County, Kakamega County, is seeking justice after their 28-year-old kin, Josphat Etyang, was abducted and brutally lynched by unknown assailants on Wednesday night, before his body was set on fire.

According to the family, the horrific incident occurred at around 10 p.m. when Etyang was forcibly taken from his home. The assailants, reportedly boda-boda operators, wrapped him in his own blanket before committing the murder.

Beatrice Wanyonyi, the mother of the deceased, described the ordeal as shocking and terrifying. “We are worried as a family. Those involved came for my son at around 10 o’clock in the night, and I didn’t hear him cry for help because they wrapped and carried him away in his own blanket,” she said.

She recounted being woken up by screams and chants, only to discover her son was missing. “Upon checking the deceased’s house, he was gone. We heard people chanting circumcision songs, only to realise later they were singing for my son. Etyang was deaf, so we couldn’t hear him cry for help. He was beaten to death and set ablaze,” Wanyonyi explained.

The grieving mother has called on the authorities to arrest those responsible. “We want those involved arrested. Let the government assist us because those who picked and brutally killed my last-born son are known boda-boda operators,” she said.

Officials Condemn Mob Justice

Mawe Tatu Assistant Chief Moses Shiundu condemned the killing, urging the public not to take the law into their own hands and to report suspected criminals through proper channels. He noted that the family had previously been linked to criminal activities, but stressed that mob justice is unacceptable under any circumstances.

“On the fateful night, I received information that unknown people had gone to the homestead of Beatrice Wanyonyi in Mitoto village at around 10 p.m. and picked up the deceased, whom they allege was part of a gang carrying out criminal activities in the village,” Shiundu said.

He added that two of Etyang’s brothers had previously been arrested and jailed in connection with criminal activities, but emphasized that this does not justify the brutal killing of the deceased.

“The perpetrators of this heinous act have no right to kill. As a government, we shall do everything to ensure those involved are brought to book. We should always utilize government offices to resolve our issues rather than resort to mob justice,” the assistant chief said.

Call for Justice

The government has pledged to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice, as the community reels from the shock of the violent act. Residents have been urged to cooperate with law enforcement in reporting crime and avoiding taking the law into their own hands.

The tragic killing of Josphat Etyang highlights the dangers of mob justice, even in cases where allegations of criminal activity exist, and underscores the need for communities to rely on law enforcement to uphold justice.