A man suspected to be behind a series of incidents of theft of taxi motorbikes in Chavakali Township, western Kenya, was lynched by irate members of the public who cornered and beat him up fatally over the allegations.

According to Assistant Chief of Kisatiru Sub-Location in Sabatia West Clarence Imbamba, furious members of the public spotted the deceased with one of the stolen motorbikes in the town before giving him a chase to his death at around 10am.

“According to the report I received the deceased aged 28 or 29 years is called Moses Agufana, son of one Milton from Wodonga Nabwani area in Sabatia Sub-County,” the grassroots administrator said.

The assistant chief said Agufana was found with a stolen motorbike taxi and was running away before he was apprehended at Iguhu River Bridge in neighbouring Kakamega County by irate members of the public who dragged him back to Chavakali Junction Stage, where the motorbike is believed to have been stolen. He was then was set on fire.

The administrator said that upon inquiring more about Agufana’s conduct from residents of his home area, they confirmed that he is used to stealing motorbikes and terrorising people and they had gotten tired of his behaviour.

Imbamba said that, upon arriving at the scene at 11am, he found Agufana still fighting for his life. He called the OCS Chavakali Police Station to come and rescue him but the police arrived when Agufana had already succumbed to his injuries.

The body was taken to Vihiga County Referral Hospital Funeral Home for post-mortem.

He cautioned those involved in crime, especially theft of motorbikes. He cautioned members of the public against taking the law into their hands.

“If you do not know your customer do not serve him or her as this can poses a threat to you,” Imbamba warned.

Incidents of motorbike theft, attack and killing of the boda boda riders has skyrocketed in the recent past.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Maureen Imbayi