Four suspected robbers were today beaten up to death and their bodies set on fire at Kiaritha village, Igamba Ng’ombe area of Meru South district.
The men, two of them brothers, were flushed out of their hideouts in a dawn crackdown by members of the public after they attacked a local businessman as he went to the market.
Area police boss Kizito Mutoro said the man suffered a deep cut to the head and his distress call attracted members of the public who pursued the gang of about 10 members and caught up with one of them.
Members of the public proceeded to beat him up but promised to spare his life on condition he reveals the identity of his accomplices.
“He took them to the suspects homes and were all rounded up and taken to Kiaritha area where they were interrogated, lynched and their bodies burnt.
“ They used all manner of weapons and when they died, set them on fire,” said Mr Mutoro.
He said those who were killed were two brothers terms aged 26 and 30 years and two other men aged 25 years.
Mr Mutoro said all the deceased had on various occasions been arrested for theft related crimes.
“The two brothers are jail birds and had just been released from jail. The others have had a brush with the law,” he said.
An area resident said the men had been terrorising residents all night long and had trailed people who had sold livestock at the nearby Ishiara market in Mbeere North district in a bid to rob them.
Police took the charred bodies to Chuka district hospital mortuary.
