Residents of Gakonya village in Kiharu, Murang'a county, lynched two alleged livestock thieves and set their bodies on fire.

The enraged homeowners said that they were on patrol at daybreak when they came upon the suspects transporting four cows suspected of being stolen in a lorry and challenged them.

The accused fled in various directions, but two of them were apprehended by locals.

PHOTO | COURTESY police line

Residents said they have been up all night attempting to preserve their property because they believe the thieves are part of a well-organized group selling animals to unscrupulous butchers in Kiambu, Murang'a, and Nairobi Counties.

Residents are now pleading with authorities to be proactive and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

The alleged robbers' bodies, which have yet to be identified, have been transferred to the Murang'a County Mortuary awaiting a postmortem.