Five suspected robbers were lynched by an angry mob in Koitaburot, Sigowet-Soin Constituency, after allegedly robbing a sacco treasurer of KSh 1.2 million moments after he withdrew the cash from a local bank.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 17, shortly after Richard Bala, a treasurer with Chemilil Sacco, stepped out of KCB Bank in Muhoroni, Kisumu County, having withdrawn the money.
According to police, the incident occurred on Tuesday, February 17, moments after Bala left the banking hall with the money.
The suspects reportedly trailed his vehicle from Muhoroni, following him along the busy road as he headed towards Kericho County.
Before reaching his destination, the suspects intercepted him and allegedly made away with the cash in a swift operation.
However, Bala raised the alarm immediately, drawing the attention of members of the public who quickly mobilised and pursued the fleeing vehicle.
Witnesses said the suspects attempted to escape using the West Valley Sugar Road but were cornered by residents.
Two of the suspects were stoned to death in Kijiriet village after their vehicle was intercepted.
Three others who tried to flee on foot were pursued and lynched a few metres away in Kibugat village.
The Soin Sigowet Sub-County OCPD, Lawrence Kisini, confirmed the incident, stating that police officers responded after receiving reports of the robbery and mob action.
Kisini disclosed that detectives had been trailing the suspects since 2025 over previous robbery incidents in the region.
At the scene, officers recovered several items believed to be linked to the crime.
Among the items was a toy pistol resembling a revolver, fitted with metal at the nozzle, allegedly used to intimidate victims.
“This is a toy pistol resembling a revolver, it is fitted with metal in the nozzle to scare away their victims,” Kisini explained.
Police also recovered a walkie-talkie, raising suspicion that the suspects may have coordinated their movements during the operation.
Photos circulating online showed a police job card bearing the rank of corporal, allegedly found on one of the deceased suspects.
An Auctioneers Licensing Board licence and a matching national identity card were also reportedly recovered from the scene.
The discovery of the police job card has sparked speculation among residents about possible impersonation or deeper links.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the documents were genuine or fraudulently obtained.
The bodies of the five men were moved to a local mortuary pending identification and postmortem examinations.
Police have urged members of the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Investigations into the robbery and the recovered documents are ongoing as officers seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
