Five Suspected Robbers Lynched After Sh1.1 Million Sacco Heist in Kericho

By Shackland Masese

Five suspected robbers were lynched by an angry mob in Koitaburot area of Soin Sigowet, Kericho County, on Tuesday morning following a dramatic robbery involving Sh1.1 million.

The suspects are alleged to have trailed a Sacco treasurer who had withdrawn the money from a bank in Muhoroni before ambushing him moments later. According to police, the gang intercepted the victim and attempted to escape along the West Valley Sugar Road towards Kericho.

Soin Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Lawrence Kisini said members of the public quickly mobilized after learning of the robbery.

“I thank the citizens for being very pro-active. They intercepted the vehicle along the way and three suspected robbers were lynched in one location while another two were killed in another location,” said Kisini.

A Koitaburot resident, Jesse Kiprotich, said the incident occurred at around 10:00 a.m., when screams from the main tarmac road alerted villagers.

“It was around 10:00 am when we heard screams from the tarmac that attracted our attention,” said Jesse.

The five suspects were cornered in separate locations as they attempted to flee. Residents overpowered and killed them before police officers could arrive at the scene.

Upon arrival, police recovered a toy pistol resembling a revolver and counterfeit vehicle registration plates allegedly used during the robbery. Authorities indicated that the suspects had been under investigation for several weeks and are believed to have had prior knowledge of the victim’s movements.

“We’ve been able to recover two fake number plates and a toy pistol resembling a revolver that we believe was being used to threaten members of the public, and it is subject to forensic analysis,” Kisini added.

The bodies of the five suspects were moved to the Kericho County Referral Hospital mortuary pending post-mortem examinations and identification. The vehicle used in the incident was also recovered and taken into police custody.

The case remains under investigation, with officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Soin leading the probe.

Meanwhile, authorities have strongly condemned mob justice, urging members of the public to allow law enforcement agencies to handle criminal matters through due legal process.