By P, KNA
A man suspected to be behind a string of murders targeting young girls and women in Gem, Yala Sub-county, was early today lynched by irate members of the public, shortly after his arrest by the police.
Charles Onyango alias “Kwa” was snatched from the police by the public who overpowered the security officials and given a thorough beating before being set ablaze at Yala town.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested at Kibos area in the neighbouring Kisumu County, following a tip-off from members of the public.
Gem Yala Sub-county Police Commander, Charles Wafula who confirmed the incident said the suspect had sought employment as a herdsman in the area in an attempt to blend with the public after evading police dragnet for close to two months.
“Working in coordination with our Kisumu counterparts, we tracked down the suspect and apprehended him last night,” said Wafula, adding that he was immediately transferred to Yala Police Station.
However, this morning, the police officers left the Station with the suspect who was leading them to some of his accomplices when members of the public blocked the police vehicle in Yala town, demanding that he be released to them.
Attempts by the officers to take off failed as the swelling crowd threatened to torch the police land Cruiser. In the melee, the public grabbed the suspect whom they beat with all sorts of crude weapons before setting his body on fire.
The suspect, aged 40 years, is suspected of orchestrating a series of killings that mainly targeted girls and women.