Evans Njoroge ,a scrap metal dealer in Timboroa town, Baringo County who was attacked by a mob on suspicion of theft. He later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital where he was rushed by his family for treatment.
What began as a regular morning for Joseph Kuria, a resident of Timboroa town in Baringo County, quickly turned into a nightmare.
At around 3pm last Wednesday, Kuria received a distressing phone call informing him his younger brother Evans Njoroge, 28, had been attacked by a mob on suspicion of theft.
Njoroge, a scrap metal dealer, had reportedly been cornered by angry residents in Timboroa centre allegedly while stealing with a friend. The caller urged Kuria to drop everything and rush to the scene to rescue his brother who had been beaten nearly to death.
When Kuria arrived, he found a horrifying scene.
His brother had been subjected to hours of brutal assault and a group of men locals claim are well-known in the area had tied him to a post and attacked him with crude weapons including metal rods, sticks, and electric cables.
“His pleas for mercy were ignored. After the beating, they tied his barely conscious body to a motorbike and dragged him for over 100 metres on a dirt road,” Kuria told Nation.Africa.
“I found him lying there, shredded. His eyes were swollen, his body battered and I could hardly recognise my brother. They didn’t even give him a chance to prove his innocence. Why not just hand him to the police?” Kuria questioned.
When Kuria tried to find a motorbike to take his brother to hospital, all the riders declined saying they had been threatened. Left with no option, he carried him to Timboroa Health Centre.
After a check-up, doctors referred Njoroge to Ravine Sub-County Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.
Even then, getting him there was a struggle and a police officer told Kuria that their vehicle had no fuel.
“The doctors tried locating his veins but couldn’t. He was deteriorating fast and eventually police officers came to help. But it was too late and he died upon arrival at the facility. It pains me that they killed him. Even if he stole something, they should have handed him to the police,” Kuria said.
The family is now struggling to raise funds for his burial which is scheduled for next week. They have appealed to well-wishers for support to give Njoroge a dignified sendoff.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the quiet town of Timboroa with residents now confronting the grim reality of mob justice.
Some held peaceful protests last Thursday and Friday, demanding justice for Njoroge and calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved.
Baringo County Police Commander Julius Kiragu said Njoroge and a friend allegedly broke into a homestead and stole a ladder.
After reviewing CCTV footage, the owner reportedly identified them and led a group to retrieve the ladder from Njoroge’s house.
“We have opened an inquiry file into the incident. Mob justice is a crime. They should have handed him over to the authorities. We urge the public to provide any information that can help us bring the perpetrators to justice,” Mr Kiragu said.
