A man allegedly stole KSh 84,000 from a businesswoman's residence in Kimugul village, Kericho county, before fatally stabbing himself on March 10 to avoid being attacked by an enraged crowd, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred when the suspect broke into the home of a woman attending church, reportedly stealing cash from a safe. A child left to tend livestock alerted nearby residents, who arrived to find the intruder locked inside the dwelling.
"The child noticed the house had been entered and raised the alarm, drawing immediate response from villagers," said Kimugul location chief William Sang. "Upon entering, they discovered the man hanging from the rafters with money in his pockets."
Villagers reportedly surrounded the property, threatening violence against the suspect. Authorities reported the man used a rope to commit suicide before police arrived. His identity remains unknown due to lack of identification documents.
Police at Chepseon Station have initiated an investigation into the theft and subsequent death. The suspect's body was transferred to Kericho District Hospital for further examination.
