On May 27, 2022, a tragic incident unfolded in Ivumbu village, Makueni County, where a 34-year-old farmhand, Charles Musembi, was lynched by an angry mob.
According to reports, Musembi had allegedly defiled and killed the two girls, who were cousins, before locking their bodies inside his living room.
The girls, aged nine and six, had gone missing after Musembi visited their home the previous day, when their uncle was asleep due to illness.
A family member had initiated a search for the man who was said to have visited the home when the girls disappeared.
It was after the search that the lifeless bodies of the two girls were found under Musembi's bed.
Makueni police commander Joseph Ole Napeiyan confirmed the incident, stating that Musembi was found in a nearby market and denied knowing the girls' whereabouts.
However, when confronted with evidence, Musembi's alibi crumbled, and he was frogmarched to the house, where the horrific crime was discovered.
Neighbours described Musembi as a lonely man who had barely worked in their neighbour's home for a month.
Some neighbours also suggested that Musembi may have been under the influence of drugs when he committed the act.
“We need to have a village which is free from drugs. The suspect seems to have committed this heinous act under influence of drugs,” said Titus Musyoka, a youth leader in the area.
Police officers were overpowered by the irate members of the public, who stoned the suspect to death before setting his body ablaze.
“Some of the officers sustained bruises as they tried to protect the suspect but they were overwhelmed and the suspect was killed and his body burnt with handcuffs still on his hands,” said Mutiso Kaloki, a neighbour.
