An angry mob in Kodera area in Rachuonyo South sub-county, Homa Bay county have torched three motorbikes belonging to suspects believed to be behind the spate of vandalism and transformer oil theft in the area.
In the early morning incident, the locals who decried that the incident had been rampant over the past weeks lay a trap for the suspects, however, the suspects were lucky to escape the angry residents leaving their motorbikes at the scene.
“The thieves recently destroyed a transformer and took away the oil, today we decided to lay a trap to catch them. When it reached around 1 in the morning, we found them on top of the poles destroying electric wires,” one of the locals identified as Samwel Onyango said.
“They luckily escaped to the nearest bush, however, our search led us to where they had kept the already stolen electric wires and three of their motorbikes which they usually use in their illegal acts,” the witness added.
The residents identified the said motorbikes but could not actually ascertain who the occupants or the owners were.
The village has been in darkness for a period of three weeks due to vandalism of electricity transformer and cables by unknown suspects who carry out the dubious operations at night.
The area Chief Joseph Omondi Omoro confirmed the incident, saying the report has been booked with the police who are currently looking for the suspects who are still at large.
Wreckage of the burnt motorbikes have been towed to Oyugis police station as investigation commences.
