Suspected thief beaten up and set ablaze by an irate mob.

A suspected thief suffered the most brutal mob justice at Molo Estate, Komo Sub-Location of Juja when he was beaten up and set on fire by an irate mob on Sunday morning.

According to reports, the unnamed man was surrounded after he was allegedly part of a gang that was caught trying to break into a cyber café just before daybreak.

It is alleged that the suspect, who is now fighting for his life at the Thika Level 5 Hospital, was cornered as they attempted to cut through the shop’s steel door.

“The neighbours heard the noises and raised alarm. Unfortunately for him, some bodaboda operators who were nearby responded immediately

He said bodaboda operators who were ferrying clients responded immediately and were able to apprehend one of the criminals. Members of the public and descended on him, beating him senselessly while demanding that he disclose the identities of his accomplices. 

By 8:30 am Sunday morning, the suspect, who was writhing in excruciating pain lay still on the ground with serious burns. He was taken to Thika Level Five Hospital.

Administration Police (AP) officers from Witeithie the scene managed to recover an ID card of one of the suspects from the crime scene indicating that the bearer hails from Murang'a County. 

Residents believe that the thugs are behind the escalating rate of crime in Witeithie Estate and its environs who are said to be working in one of the area car washes during the day but turned criminals during the night. 

Early this week, Zachary Mugo (Kairitu), a truck driver, and his colleague John Njenga were attacked immediately after parking their lorry near a certain night club in Witeithie.

The thugs, who were armed with crude weapons beat them senselessly before robbing them cash and other personal valuables which included shoes. 

Their attackers then fled after the victims raised alarm attracting the attention of patrons from a nearby pub.

Witeithie residents have been complaining that thugs have been frequenting the bar disguising as revelers while indeed stalking at their prey.

Juja Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Muthama Wambua has urged residents to actualise the Nyumba Kumi Initiative to deal in a bid to fight the menace.

“You ought to give us information regarding these marauding thugs so that they can be arrested and prosecuted according to the law,” the DCC said on phone.

He added that any information that would help the police to arrest the culprits will be treated with utmost confidentiality so as not to expose the members of public to danger of retaliatory attacks by these criminals.