Tension remains high in Msalaba Village in Malava, Kakamega County, after irate residents Marched to the homestead of the Mavala Township sub-location assistant chief and set his houses on fire.
According to the residents, the chief alongside some villagers killed two suspected livestock thieves in the early hours of Tuesday.
Reports indicate that the residents retrieved the bodies of the duo from Malava hospital before proceeding to the Assistant Chief’s home, where they carried out the destruction.
They claim that the two victims who were killed were not thieves but legitimate livestock traders.
Villagers claim the suspects were confronted by the Assistant Chief on Monday night, allegedly in collusion with some locals.
During the confrontation, the two men were said to have been unable to justify why they were moving livestock at night.
What followed were brutal beatings that led to their deaths while undergoing treatment at Malava hospital.
“Alikutana na vijana saa saba usiku, assistant chifu aliwauliza mmetoa ngombe wapi ndio wakaanza kuzozana,” Charles Soita, a resident explained.
“Wakashindwa kujibu ndio mzozo ukaanza kabla ya wao kuvamiwa.”
As an act of retaliation, residents stormed Malava hospital, retrieved the bodies, and marched to the assistant chief’s homestead, setting his houses ablaze. The chief escaped by a whisker.
“Hao watu hawakuwa wezi ni wachurusi wa ngombe,” Titus Lumbasi said.
“Walikuja hapa na miili wakachoma nyumba na kuzibomoa,” another resident Ann Nazala stated.
Soita, added, “Police walijua kungekuwa na uvamizi lakini hawakushughulika.”
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