Police used tear gas to disperse a mob who barricaded Narok- Bomet Highway, after a young man was murdered by suspected robbers at K24 Estate in Narok town.
Demonstrators, most of them boda boda operators, reportedly seized a middle-aged man suspected of terrorizing local residents.
The suspected robber, managed to escape death by a whisker, as residents attacked him with stones, knives, and rungus.
Motorists plying along the busy road that connect to Kisii and Nairobi counties, were forced to wait for hours before the police contained the situation.
Some of the residents who spoke to Kenya News Agency (KNA) said insecurity has been at peak in the area and accused the police of being reluctant to arrest suspects of crime reported to them.
Demonstrators, led by Narok Peace Chairman, Joshua Kaputa, claim that an organized gang, believed to have been transported from other counties, has killed numerous innocent young people.
He urged Narok County Commissioner, Isaac Masinde, and the security team, to enhance security in the town to prevent potential business threats to investors.
“We are worried because a very small town like this can have increased cases of insecurity. People cannot go to their homes at peace because of a gangster that is hiding amongst us,” he lamented.
A Boda boda operator, Nicholas Rop, reported that their efforts to arrest suspects and present them to the police are not yielding fruits, as they continue to terrorize residents.
He decried increased theft in town that has made them to close businesses as early as 8pm to avoid crossing ways with the thugs.
In December 2023, the security team implemented strict measures to curb crime in the town, including restricting night movement, closing day businesses by 10:30 pm, and allowing customers to return home before 11 pm. Hence, the town was divided into five sections and a top-ranking police officer was put to head each of the sections.
By Ann Salaton
