Kakamega County, Kenya – A family in Mawe Tatu Sub-Location, Likuyani Sub-County, Kakamega County, is demanding justice following the brutal killing of their 28-year-old kin, Josphat Etyang, who was allegedly abducted from his home, lynched and his body set ablaze by unknown assailants on Wednesday night.
According to the family, the attack occurred at around 10pm when a group of people stormed Etyang’s home, forcibly removed him and disappeared into the night. His mother, Beatrice Wanyonyi, said the family was later awakened by screams and chanting, only to realise their son had already been taken.
Wanyonyi recounted that the attackers, believed to be boda boda operators, wrapped her son in his own blanket before carrying him away, preventing him from crying out for help.
“We are worried as a family. Those involved came for my son at around 10 o’clock in the night. I didn’t hear him cry for help because they wrapped and carried him away in his own blanket,” she said.
She added that moments later, residents heard people chanting circumcision songs, which later turned out to be directed at her son.
“My son was deaf, so he could not cry for help. He was beaten to death and then set on fire,” she said, fighting back tears.
Wanyonyi called on the government to intervene and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted, insisting that the perpetrators are known members of the local boda boda fraternity.
“We want those involved arrested. Let the government assist us because those who picked and brutally killed my last-born son are known,” she said.
Mawe Tatu Assistant Chief Moses Shiundu strongly condemned the killing, terming it a heinous act of mob justice. He urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead report suspected criminals to the authorities.
Shiundu disclosed that preliminary information indicated the attackers accused the deceased of being part of a criminal gang operating in the village. However, he stressed that such allegations do not justify extrajudicial killings.
“On the fateful night, I received information that unknown people went to the homestead of Beatrice Wanyonyi in Mitoto village at around 10pm and picked up the deceased, alleging he was part of a gang involved in criminal activities,” said the assistant chief.
He noted that while members of the family had previously been linked to criminal activities — with two of the deceased’s brothers having been arrested and jailed in the past — mob justice remains unlawful and unacceptable.
“No one has the right to kill. As a government, we shall do everything possible to ensure those involved are brought to book. Disputes and suspicions should always be handled through government offices and the justice system,” Shiundu said.
Police have launched investigations into the incident as the government reiterated its commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice, even as human rights groups continue to warn against the rising cases of mob justice in rural communities.
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