‘We Will Not Rest Until Justice Is Served’: Mwala MP Demands Answers After Three Young Men Burned Alive in Machakos
Mwala Member of Parliament Vincent Musyoka Kawaya has intensified calls for justice following the horrific mob killing of three young men in Machakos County, warning investigators that residents will not relent until every person involved is brought before the courts.
The legislator, a close ally of President William Ruto and a prominent figure within the ruling party, spoke on Sunday, June 7, following the arrest of a key suspect linked to the shocking incident that has sparked outrage across the country.
Kawaya condemned the killings as a barbaric act that has left families devastated and raised fresh concerns over the growing trend of mob justice in Kenya.
The victims — Kennedy Muthungu, 29, his younger brother Stanley Muthungu, 22, and their family friend Charles Mutiso, 25 — were allegedly attacked and burned alive by an angry mob after being falsely accused of attempting to carjack a motorist.
Addressing residents, the MP expressed deep frustration over the brutality of the attack and called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to ensure all those involved are identified and prosecuted.
“It cannot be life as usual. DCI, wherever you are, you should know we are a sad lot. We demand justice for these three young souls. Whoever conducted this heinous act must be held to account,” Kawaya declared.
According to preliminary investigations, the three friends were returning home after watching a football match when they became involved in a confrontation with the driver of a Toyota Probox.
Reports indicate that one of the young men may have been knocked down during the encounter, prompting the trio to confront the driver.
However, the situation reportedly escalated when the motorist raised an alarm, accusing the three men of attempting to carjack him.
The claims are said to have attracted a group of boda boda operators and members of the public, who allegedly turned on the young men in a violent attack.
The three victims later succumbed to severe injuries sustained during the assault, sending shockwaves through the local community and triggering widespread condemnation from leaders and human rights activists.
While welcoming the arrest of a suspect, Kawaya insisted that justice would not be achieved by targeting a single individual.
He maintained that every person who participated in the killings must face the full force of the law.
“We will amplify this issue to the point where the one who committed this deed will find it easier to stay behind bars than to be free,” the MP warned.
Kawaya also challenged stakeholders within the boda boda industry to take greater responsibility for the actions of their members, arguing that criminal behaviour should never be excused or hidden under the cover of legitimate business operations.
The legislator renewed calls for stricter regulation of the sector, including mandatory registration of all riders under Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (Saccos), saying the move would improve accountability and make it easier to identify offenders.
“There has to be responsibility, and that is why we are saying every member must be registered to a Sacco,” he said.
The MP further revealed that he intends to raise the matter in Parliament and seek a statement from the Ministry of Interior regarding measures being taken to curb mob justice incidents, which continue to claim lives across different parts of the country.
The tragedy has reignited debate over the increasing number of mob attacks in Kenya, with critics arguing that a lack of public confidence in the justice system is encouraging communities to take the law into their own hands.
As investigations continue, grieving families are now demanding swift justice for the three young men whose lives were cut short in a case that has become a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of mob violence.
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