Lynching.
Three men suspected to have been involved in the killing of a bodaboda rider on Tuesday in Lambwe, Homa Bay County have been lynched. Mbita Sub County police Commander Solomon Barngetuny said an angry mob cornered one of the suspects identified as Frank John Dimba near Kipasi market where they killed him on the spot.
The police boss condemned the incident warning the public not take the law into their hands. “I tell residents to avoid taking the law into their hands. We are investigating the matter to ensure justice prevails,” Barngetuny said.
The irate mob then moved to Rodi Kopany township in Homa Bay Sub- County where they found another suspect identified as Omondi Ariko. They attacked and killed him with crude weapons. The incensed mob later found a third suspect identified as Omondi Musa in Homa Bay town where they assaulted him with pangas and wooden clubs also killing him on the spot.
Confirming the two deaths in the sub county, Homa Bay Sub-County Police Commander Peter Maluki also told the mob comprising of riders to avoid taking the law into their hands.
“They ought to have handed over the suspects to police. It was wrong to kill them,” Maluki said. Bodaboda riders in Homa Bay Sub- County led by their Chairman Opiyo Soso, Secretary Collins Okoth and head of security David Juma decried insecurity which they claimed was targeting bodaboda riders.
Soso divulged those ten motorbikes had been stolen, one rider killed and two others injured in the last two weeks in the area. “We are appealing to the government to accord us security. There is a group of criminals who are targeting bodaboda riders.” Soso said, adding that the situation had instilled fear in bodaboda riders.
“Riders are now operating in fear because of what is happening. Bodaboda is a business that has employed many people. It should not be crippled by a few individuals,” reiterated Collins Okoth, the secretary.
On his part, David Juma, the riders’ in charge of security urged all riders to ensure that they were registered to weed out criminals from the group. “We want everybody operating as a bodaboda rider registered. This will enable us to identify criminals who are hiding in our midst.” Juma said.
The bodies of the deceased suspects were moved to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital Mortuary.