Metembe village in Masimba Ward, Kisii County, was rocked by a tragic and violent incident on Thursday night after an angry mob attacked and killed five members of the same family. The victims, including the family’s father and mother, were suspected by villagers of being involved in the murder of a middle-aged man whose body was discovered a month ago.
The gruesome act unfolded as tensions in the village, simmering for weeks, reached a boiling point. Enraged residents descended on the homestead, executing a brutal mob justice attack. Two other family members narrowly escaped the assault and are currently under protection by local authorities.
In addition to the killings, six houses belonging to the family were set ablaze, leaving behind smoldering ruins and further deepening the community’s shock and grief. The motivations behind the mob’s actions are rooted in suspicions linking the family to the unresolved murder, although no formal charges had been made against them at the time of the attack.
South Masaba Deputy County Commissioner Jane Manene confirmed the incident, expressing deep concern over the resort to mob justice. She emphasized that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a formal probe into the matter.
“We condemn this heinous act of lawlessness and urge residents to allow investigations to take their course instead of taking matters into their own hands,” Manene said.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary as investigations continue. Authorities are also pursuing leads to identify those responsible for the killings and the destruction of property.
This incident adds to a worrying trend of mob justice cases in various parts of Kenya, where public frustration over crime and delayed justice often leads to violent outcomes. Human rights groups have repeatedly called on authorities to strengthen the justice system and civic education to curb such incidents.
Local leaders are expected to convene a peace meeting in the coming days to calm tensions and prevent further violence in the area.
