Detectives are investigating an incident where five members of the same family were attacked and killed by angry villagers over claims of murder in Masimba Ward in Kisii County.
The incident happened in Metembe village on Thursday night, police said.
The mob also burnt down the victims’ six houses during the incident.
Four of the victims were burnt to death while the fifth one was slashed to death as she escaped, police said.
The mob suspected the family of being involved in the murder of a middle-aged man who was found dead a month ago, police said.
Among the victims were the father and mother of the family.
Two other family members managed to escape the attack.
Kisii County police commander Ronald Kirui said a team of detectives is on the ground to pursue the murder.
He termed mob lynching as criminal and added that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are pursuing the attackers.
“Suspects should be surrendered to police for formal probe and action. A team is investigating the murder,” the official said.
Police arrived at the village on Friday morning as part of the probe into the incident.
The bodies of the five victims were taken to the mortuary at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital pending autopsy and probe.
Kirui said a team was also investigating the earlier of a man that prompted the latest incident
Witnesses said some villagers linked to the latest murder had escaped the area after detectives landed there.
Police vowed to do justice for the victims.
Such incidents of mob lynching are common in the area amid a campaign to address the menace.
Some criminal gangs operating in the area were linked to the killings before police moved to address the same.
A probe into the activities is underway.
Police said investigators had established that some victims were framed and killed in the confusion.
