A crowd of mourners in Baricho, Kirinyaga County, set fire to the house of a murder suspect on Thursday, accusing police of failing to act after a local motorbike rider was found dead.
The violence broke out after mourners collected the body of Joseph Nguru Munyaro, 28, from Kerugoya mortuary. Nguru, a bodaboda rider based in Kiaga trading centre, had gone missing earlier in the week. His body was later found dumped in the Kiwe River, near the border of Ndia and Kirinyaga Central constituencies. His new motorcycle was discovered at the same location.
On their way home from the mortuary, the mourners stopped at Baricho Police Station and briefly left Nguru’s coffin at the gate in protest.
“They said the police were not doing enough to arrest those behind Joseph’s death,” said a resident who witnessed the incident.
The mourners blocked the station’s entrance, chanted slogans, and called for justice. Some held placards demanding answers. The standoff lasted nearly two hours. No police officer addressed them publicly.
Eventually, the group picked up the coffin and left heading directly to the suspect’s homestead in Baricho. There, they stormed the compound, set the house on fire, and looted property, including livestock.
“The house was burnt completely. We’ve launched investigations,” said Ndia police commander Jos Mudavadi. “We urge anyone with information to come forward.”
Mr Mudavadi condemned the arson attack, warning that mob justice could derail ongoing investigations.
This is not the first time such acts have happened in the region. Cases of community-led attacks on suspected criminals have been rising, prompting concern among local authorities.
Elsewhere, in Kithimu village, Embu County, police are investigating what they now suspect to be another murder. The body of 70-year-old Joseph Mvungo was found hanging in his bedroom on 9 July. Initially treated as suicide, police now believe it was staged.
Mvungo had a fresh cut on the back of his head. Blood was found on the bed and the floor, raising doubts about how he died.
“It appears the hanging was meant to cover up the real cause of death,” a senior officer told this reporter.
Mvungo’s wife and son have been taken in for questioning. Police say autopsy results will help confirm the cause of death.
Back in Baricho, Joseph Nguru’s family is still demanding answers.
“We just want justice. Joseph was a good man who worked hard,” said his cousin, John Munyoro. “He didn’t deserve to die like that, and no one has been held responsible.”
The case has stirred deep anger across Kirinyaga, with residents calling for faster investigations and a more visible police presence in rural areas.
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