DNK International By Our Reporter,Kericho.
Police in Kericho County are investigating a dramatic robbery with violence incident that ended with the lynching of five suspects by an irate mob in Soin Sub-County.
According to a police report filed at Kipsitet Police Station yesterday,the incident was reported by Richard Bala, the treasurer of Mashambani Farmers Cooperative Society.
Bala stated that at about 11:00 a.m. on February 17, 2026, he withdrew Sh 1.1 million from Kenya Commercial Bank Muhoroni Branch in Muhoroni, Kisumu County.
While still within Muhoroni shopping centre, Bala was allegedly abducted by five individuals travelling in a white saloon car.
He was forcibly bundled into the vehicle, which then sped off towards West Valley Sugar Factory in Koitaburot Location, Soin Sub-County.
Boda boda operators reportedly raised alarm and pursued the vehicle.
Members of the public later intercepted it at Kejiryet area, where the five occupants were overpowered and lynched by the mob before police could rescue them.
During the police response, an accidental firearm discharge occurred.
As a result, a civilian identified as Irine Chepkemoi sustained injuries on the left side of her chest caused by ricochet debris from stones.
She was rushed to Kericho Referral Hospital, where medical examinations confirmed the injuries were not from a bullet.
She is reported to be in stable condition.
Police recovered several items from the scene, including a toy pistol resembling a revolver, multiple vehicle number plates, a mobile phone, bank plates, a pair of handcuffs and a certificate of clearance belonging to a police corporal identified as Jayson Kamau.
The scene was documented and photographed by scenes-of-crime officers from Soin/Sigowet Sub-County.
The bodies of the five deceased suspects were taken to Kericho Referral Hospital Mortuary, where they await post-mortem examinations and formal identification.
Investigators have indicated that preliminary information suggests the suspects may have been police officers, a claim that remains under active investigation.
[DNK-International@February 18,2026]
