Five men, among them a person believed to be a police officer, were killed by an angry mob in Kericho County on Tuesday, February 17, after being accused of robbing a businessman of over Ksh1 million.
According to local sources, the businessman had withdrawn funds from a SACCO at a nearby bank when the group allegedly followed him across Soin and Sigowet sub-counties. The stolen amount is estimated to range between Ksh1.1 million and Ksh1.5 million, though authorities are still verifying the exact figure.
Photos and videos circulating from the scene show one of the suspects holding a police job card indicating the rank of corporal, but investigators have yet to confirm its authenticity. Another suspect reportedly had an Auctioneers Licensing Board certificate alongside a matching national ID card at the site. Some locals claimed that one suspect may have been stationed at Koru Police Station.
Soin Police Commander Lawrence Kisini told reporters that officers responded swiftly after receiving information from residents. He said two suspects were cornered and killed in Kejiriet village, while the remaining three were intercepted in Kibugat village, Kipsitet.
Items recovered from the group included a toy pistol resembling a revolver, two vehicle number plates, and walkie-talkies. Commander Kisini explained that the duplicate plates suggested an attempt to conceal the vehicle’s identity.
Residents also reported that gangs operating along the Kipsitet Junction–Muhoroni corridor have increasingly used Toyota Probox vehicles to target unsuspecting motorists, raising concerns about growing criminal activity in the area.