Five members of a single family were brutally killed and six of their houses set on fire by an angry mob in Metembe village, Masimba Ward, Kisii County. The night attack was driven by suspicion over a past murder which has left the community in shock as police launch investigations into the deadly violence.

The victims included the father and mother of the family. The mob accused the family of being involved in the murder of a middle-aged man whose body was found about a month ago. Without waiting for investigations or proof, the villagers took the matter into their own hands and carried out the deadly attack. Two other family members managed to escape and survived the incident.

In a wave of rage, the mob didn’t stop at killing, they also burned down six houses that belonged to the family. The homes were completely destroyed, leaving behind only ruins and ashes

South Masaba Deputy Commissioner Jane Manene confirmed the incident and said that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a full investigation into the killings and the destruction of property. The bodies of the five victims were taken to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

Follow-up and investigations by the authorities are currently ongoing.