A stealing expedition took an unexpected twist when a burglar committed suicide on Sunday to try and avoid a mob that was baying for his blood.
The unidentified man broke into a house in Kimugul village, Kericho County and stole Ksh.84,000 but when the neighbours discovered him, he took his own life.
Confirming the incident, Kimugul location Chief William Sang said the suspected burglar broke into a house belonging to a local businesswoman who was away in church.
Unbeknownst to him, one of the woman’s children was in the house when he broke in thinking she had gone to church with her entire family.
Mr. Sanga, speaking to Citizen Digital, stated that the deceased – believed to be in his thirties – broke into a safe full of money and stashed his pockets.
However, the child who had remained behind to herd the family cattle noticed that their house had been broken into and raised alarm attracting area residents.
The burglar reportedly locked himself inside to avoid the wrath of the irate villagers who had rushed to the homestead baying for his blood.
Knowing what awaited him outside was nothing but pure pain and probably death, he refused to leave the house and is alleged to have picked a rope when he used to hang himself with.
Once the residents gained access into the house, they were shocked to find the man dangling from the rafters with the money still stashed in his pockets.
They were unable to immediately identify the man since he was not carrying any identification documents and later reported the incident at Chepseon Police Station.
The body of the deceased was transferred to Kericho District Hospital mortuary.