The family of four young men killed in a village in Kitengela, Isinya sub-county, have denied claims that their kin were hardcore criminals.
Mike George Onduso, 29, and Nicholas Kyengo Musa, 28 alongside two brothers; sound engineer Victor Mwangi Wanjiru, 25, and graphics designer Fredrick Mureithi Wanjiru, 30, were beaten and killed by villagers on August 8, 2021, after being accused of stealing livestock in the area.
The four were lynched at dawn and their three motorcycles torched by their attackers.
Ms Lucy Wanjiru, the mother of the two brothers killed in the incident, and who lives in United Kingdom, was hospitalized after receiving news of their death.
These were decent young men with bright future
According to the Nation, who visited the family’s palatial home in Syokimau where the two brothers lived, inside Mureithi’s upstairs bedroom, were sound system gadgets he was probably working on before he left home, while in his brother’s room, were illustrations in various stages of completion. Several sports motorcycles were parked in the compound.
“My nephews were honest young men with a promising future. They were working and their mother supported them financially. My young nephew was in-charge of the ongoing construction project next to their house. They loved speed motorcycles and some time they could party at the weekend. It is normal for young people,” their uncle told Nation.
Meanwhile, the family of Mr Patrick Musa Kyengo is mourning their third born son Mr Musa, an only son.
The father said that he learnt of his son’s death through social media, which made the pain even worse.
The victims cried for mercy
According to Nation, there are claims that a fight may have ensued between the four and a villager who is said to have invited a group of people to attack the four young men using spear, before claiming that they were livestock thieves.
“Villagers cornered the four at dusk. There were more than 15 private vehicles at the scene. They were killed by people known to them. The four are known by the villagers. The victims cried for mercy from their tormentors to no avail,” said a villager, adding that a civilian gun owner at one point shot in the air to disperse the villagers before police arrived but it was too late.
Police said they have already identified main suspects some of whom are brothers. A civilian gun holder who shot in the air to disperse the crowd has also been identified.