MIGORI: A cloud of shock has engulfed Migori County after a county government employee attached to the county’s Water and Energy Department was among three suspected thieves killed by an angry mob during an alleged botched theft in the Mapera area Suna East Sub-county at around midnight yesternight.

Migori County Water and Energy CECM Silas Awuor confirmed that one of the deceased was an employee in his department, but clarified that the officer was in the company of individuals who were not employees of the Water Department at the time of the incident. 

He emphasized that nobody had sent the staff member to perform maintenance, explaining that whenever official maintenance is conducted, workers are provided with security, a county vehicle, and the local village chief is informed in advance.

 “Nobody sent the staff member to perform maintenance work,” CECM Awuor clarified.

“Whenever our team goes out for maintenance, they are officially assigned a county vehicle, accompanied by security, and the local village chief is informed in advance.”

According to Owuor, the employee went with non-staff members, and when local residents confronted them and asked who had sent them, they refused to answer, which triggered the mob attack.

Confirming the incident, Migori County Police Commander Edward Imbwega said one of the suspects was burnt beyond recognition after the mob descended on the group.

He urged members of the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead hand over suspects to the police for due process. 

Police recovered a vehicle, four solar panels, and other items from the scene, which are now being treated as exhibits while detectives investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the alleged theft. 

The incident has sparked significant public concern, and active investigations are ongoing to establish the identities of all the deceased, determine the ownership of the recovered property, and trace the exact chain of events that led to the fatal lynching.